NOA Niger holds stakeholders’ town hall meeting

The federal government has stressed the need for Nigerians to reject shortcuts to wealth and embrace integrity, hard work, and the opportunities provided through various government initiatives to improve citizens’ lives.

The Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Lenre Issa Onilu, made this call during the Stakeholders Engagement and Town Hall Meeting, which focused on combating the “get-rich-quick” syndrome, security awareness, and the tax reform bill, held in Minna on December 9, 2024.

The NOA DG condemned the tendency of some Nigerians to resort to criminal activities for quick wealth to impress others. He stressed that the agency would continue its efforts to raise awareness about the dangers associated with such behavior.

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Represented by the Assistant Director of Finance and Accounts,

• Onuoha Uchenna Nkiruka

, the NOA Director General expressed his satisfaction with the large turnout at the event.

In his keynote address, the Niger State Director of NOA, Yahaya Ibrahim Gbongbo, stated that the agency’s role is to communicate government programs and policies to the people, a task it has carried out across the state’s 25 local councils.

He emphasized that the public must take ownership of their well-being and provide essential information to security agencies.

The Deputy Director of NOA, Bala Musa, highlighted the importance of the tax reform bill and urged the public to review the bill thoroughly before criticizing it.

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On behalf of traditional rulers, Eze Pampas Ngozi Nwahiwe, Eze Ndi Igbo of Minna and Chairman of the Resident Community of Traditional Leaders Association, Niger State, lamented the prevalence of the get-rich-quick mentality and called for an end to favoritism. He also praised security agencies, particularly the NDLEA, for their effective work.

In separate remarks, representatives from Jamaatul Nasirul Islam (J.N.I), Alhaji Yakubu Bosso, and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Raphe Okpawaye, encouraged youth to seek knowledge in both Islamic and Western education, while condemning the celebration of fraudulent practices.

The event was well attended by security agencies, traditional and community leaders, women’s associations, corps members, volunteer organizations, and student unions.