By Olawale Asake

The National Orientation Agency, NOA, has restated its commitment to repositioning the country into the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s Administration.

Director General of the Agency, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, made the declaration during a working visit and interaction with the Staff of the Agency in Oyo State Directorate.

Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu who was appointed by President Bola Tinubu in October, 2023 as the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency, NOA, said the agency would soon launch the National Lifestyle Charter that would define responsibilities of government and expectations from the Nigerian citizens.

Mr. Issa-Onilu noted that the NOA was ready to change the narrative of the decadence in the country through the renewed agenda of the present Administration and ensure ethical re-orientation and citizens’ mobilization for increased development of the country through the National Charter.

The DG explained that the National life charter was aimed at instituting a well grounded social contract where the citizenry would have certain expectations of the country with emphasis on core values needed in building a patriotic ecosystem for sustainable growth of the country.

“We are waiting for the President to unveil our new National Values Charter because a Country must have value system. We must have National Culture that defines who we are. Those of us who are not engaging in nefarious activities are in the majority and we must be united, so that we have commonality of characteristics as citizens of Nigeria”

“So, it is the commonality of that features that will make us to be unique citizens and make us different from others.  We must know who we are and what makes us Nigerians so that anybody who steps out of that, we can say he or she is not a good Nigerian.. DG NOA, said. 

Mallam Issa-Onilu maintained that, there were certain values that needed to be instilled among the citizens including patriotism, tolerance, honesty, integrity, obedience, unity and discipline towards building an egalitarian society.

He noted that, Nigeria would not achieve meaningful progress unless the citizens change their lifestyle by embracing virtues.

“Every country, there must be an agreement between the Country and its citizens. Citizens must look forward to something from the country and the country also must look forward to something from its citizens. So, it is a social contract. This government is now saying the country itself has a responsibility and must make promises to the citizens, so that in exchange of that, you also have some commitments”

Mr Issa-Onilu, who lamented that Nigeria had lost its core values due to moral decadence, added that, revitalizing the lost national values became imperative, because it was the missing link causing moral decadence in the country.

While addressing members of staff, the DG urged them to brace up for the task ahead and show more dedication to the service of educating the public on government policies and programmes.

In a remark, Oyo State Director, National Orientation Agency, NOA, Dr. Olukemi Afolayan who commended the Director General for the timely visit and words of encouragement towards being alive to the responsibilities of the Agency, promised that her dedicated members of Staff would not relent at promoting the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Present Administration.

The Director General used the opportunity of his working visit to Oyo State to view the Explosion site in Bodija where he commiserated with the victims and government of the State on the incident, describing it as devastating and unfortunate.

He also paid a homage to Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun in his Alarere Residence, saying, Olubadan is one of the most respected Traditional Rulers in the country, solicited his support towards making the country a better place.