NOA Sensitizes Nigerians on National Values Charter, National Anthem
The Director-General of National Orientation Agency Mallam Lanre Isa-Onilu has urged Nigerians to embrace the newly revised National Anthem and the National Values Charter as approved by the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu.
Isa-Onilu who was represented by Mrs. Olorunfemi Olubukola, Director of Reforms Coordination and Service Improvement, NOA Headquarters, at a press conference organized by the Ondo State Directorate of NOA on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at the Federal Secretariat, Igbatoro Road, Akure explained that the purpose of the conference was to reshape citizens’ perspectives on nation-building.
She pointed out that, the National Values Charter and the National Anthem are powerful symbols meant to evoke strong emotions and inspire true contributions to nation-building in Nigeria and that National Orientation Agency (NOA) is committed to ensuring that the first stanza of the national anthem is recited at all official functions, while the full anthem will be reserved for special occasions like Independence Day, Democracy Day, and Armed Forces Remembrance Day while the third stanza will serve as the national prayer.
In the same way she said, NOA has various platforms to achieve its goals, including its own media outlet, ” The Explainer,” for engaging elites, as well as TV and radio studios to produce audio and videos contents that can be circulated to the citizens and that the agency also created the “Mobilizer App” and “AI” specifically for youth to learn about government activities and programmes and also ask questions through social media platforms.
She further noted that the National Values Charter would be translated into various Nigerian languages to ensure the proper assimilation of the values and virtues embedded in the anthem.
Also speaking at the conference, Mr. James Adekunle, the State Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Ondo State, emphasized that National Prayer, aimed at promoting unity and patriotism among Nigerians and urged all citizens to familiarize themselves with the correct lyrics of the anthem.
Mr. Adekunle also revealed that the NOA is set to unveil a National Values Charter, a blueprint designed to promote core values that will guide the country’s actions and decisions. He described the Charter as a mutual commitment between the government and citizens, where the government must fulfill its basic non-negotiable promises in exchange for the citizens’ commitment to national duties.
Pointing out that the Charter outlines seven key promises from the government to its citizens: Equality, Democracy, Entrepreneurship & Employment, Peace & Security, Inclusivity, Freedom & Justice, and Meritocracy. And that in return, citizens are expected to adhere to seven core codes: Discipline, Duty of Care, Tolerance & Respect, Leadership, Transparency, Environmental Awareness, and Resilience.
Regarding the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Mr. Adekunle highlighted several policies aimed at improving the lives of citizens and fostering a sense of unity. These include the unification of the foreign exchange market, removal of fuel subsidies, crude oil sales in naira to local refineries, the introduction of high-grade Utapate crude oil blend to the international market, establishment of the National Philanthropy Office (NLO), creation of a Family Home Fund for affordable housing, the Nigeria Youth Investment Fund (NYIF), the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), improved electricity management, and granting full autonomy to Local Government Areas.
Mr. Adekunle also used the opportunity to educate the people of Ondo State about the upcoming governorship election on November 16 and measures to prevent flooding in the state.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ondo State Council, Prince Leke Adegbite, congratulated Mr. Adekunle on his elevation and commended the leadership of the agency for its efforts in restoring the country’s value system.
Adegbite lamented that the nation is losing its values, with wrongdoers often being perceived as smart. He urged the agency to ensure the Anthem and Value Charter are translated into Ijaw, Akoko, and Akure languages, so the message can reach the grassroots.