The National Orientation Agency (NOA) says it has finalised modalities to roll out a nationwide sensitisation campaign to explain federal government’s policies, programmes and national values re-orientation, stressing that it is targeting 108 million rural dwellers on flood mitigation, national symbols, as well as national security awareness.
Explaining how the agency plans to achieve its target, the Director General, Lanre Issa-Onilu, said it hopes to engage three million citizens in each of the 36 states of the federation.
The NOA DG, who spoke through the Deputy Director, Media and Communication, Princess Egbe Akenzua, explained that the initiative would be implemented across the 36 states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and 774 local Councils.
Addressing a press conference in Minna, the DG noted that the campaign would adopt a grassroots approach to enable Nigerians engage government directly, ask questions and seek clarifications on policies and programmes.
“Some of the policies to be highlighted during sensitisation include the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), social safety nets expansion, the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund, the National Youth Investment Fund (NYIF), and the Industrial Training Fund’s Skills-Upgrading and Artisans (SUPA) project, among others,” he stated.
According to the DG, over 600,000 students have already benefited from the education loan scheme, with more than N59 billion disbursed across public tertiary institutions. Meanwhile, over two million households are currently enrolled in the Conditional Cash Transfer programme.
On disaster preparedness, Issa-Onilu hinted that recent flood incidents had exposed poor waste disposal and drainage challenges across states, even as he advised Nigerians to adhere to weather advisories issued by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).
On national security, the NOA DG said the armed forces had deployed new strategies which include the use of drones, armoured vehicles, and recruitment of 15,000 additional personnel nationwide, adding that government has also released N3 billion to each state in 2024 for flood mitigation measures.
While assuring that the security awareness campaign would reach at least three million Nigerians in each state through town halls, market rallies, advocacy visits, and community engagements, Issa-Onilu also announced that the Agency would intensify campaigns against extreme graduation practices among students.
He stated that efforts would be intensified to promote national identity and respect for national symbols, such as the flag, the national anthem, the naira and the Nigerian passport, remarking that NOA has expanded its communication platforms, including social media, its official website and an AI-powered interface known as CLHEEAN, to reach younger audiences.
“NOA would sustain Weekly Explainer, e-journal and continue broadcasting documentaries and jingles on major television and radio stations to deepen citizens’ understanding of government activities.
“The campaign is expected to rekindle patriotism, promote unity, and build citizens’ confidence in the Renewed Hope agenda of the present administration,” he asserted.
