NOA KICKS OFF NATIONWIDE CAMPAIGN IN ONDO, WARNS AGAINST FLOODING, PROMOTES NATIONAL VALUES
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has officially flagged off its nationwide enlightenment campaign in Ondo State with a strong appeal to residents to remain vigilant against flooding while embracing values that foster unity, civic responsibility, and sustainable nation-building.
The campaign, which is being carried out simultaneously across the country, focuses on sensitizing citizens on issues of national importance and encouraging them to take collective responsibility in tackling challenges confronting Nigeria.
According to the Agency, the programme is structured around five thematic areas: creating awareness about government policies and programmes, flood and natural disaster preparedness, value reorientation for students against extreme “sign out” practices, promoting knowledge of Nigeria’s identity and national symbols, and strengthening security consciousness in local communities.
The Ondo State launch began with advocacy visits to critical stakeholders and has since spread to radio discussions, grassroots mobilization drives, and town hall meetings. The initiative aims at ensuring that no segment of society is left out of the sensitization effort.
Speaking during a live appearance on the “Guest of the Week” programme on Fresh 102.9 FM and Crest 106.1 FM, Akure, the Director General of NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, explained that the campaign is designed to mobilize Nigerians toward positive behavioural change. He was represented by the Director of Civic, Values, and Democracy Education, Dr. (Mrs.) Olukemi Afolayan.
Dr. Afolayan noted that flooding and other natural disasters have become recurring problems that continue to claim lives and destroy livelihoods across Nigeria. She stressed that the adoption of preventive measures at community level is key to reducing losses.
She further highlighted the Agency’s concern about negative youth behaviours, particularly extreme “sign out” practices during graduation ceremonies, drug abuse, and other social vices. According to her, these trends erode Nigeria’s cultural values and, if unchecked, could undermine the moral foundation of future generations.
At a stakeholders’ engagement held in Akure, the Ondo State Director of NOA, Mr. James Adekunle, thanked participants for their show of commitment to civic duty. He emphasized that only collective action could address pressing national challenges such as insecurity, poverty, and social indiscipline.
The meeting brought together government officials, traditional rulers, religious leaders, market women, youth leaders, and community representatives. Discussions centered on how to strengthen value reorientation, enhance community security, and mobilize public support for government welfare programmes such as the National Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT), Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP), the National Youth Investment Fund, and the SUPA Project.
Dr. Afolayan, in her address, also praised the Ondo State Government for recently banning excessive graduation parties in primary and secondary schools. She described the move as a welcome step toward discouraging social excesses and promoting modest, responsible celebrations among youths.
The NOA is complementing its grassroots campaigns with modern communication tools to reach a wider audience. Among these are the CLHEEAN AI chatbot, its upgraded official website (www.noa.gov.ng), the “Weekly Explainer” e-journal, as well as radio broadcasts in local dialects and nationally televised documentaries.
Officials of the Agency disclosed that physical outreach campaigns would continue in schools, markets, motor parks, and rural communities across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, to ensure that the message of national orientation touches every household.
At the Akure engagement, participants expressed optimism that the campaign would rekindle civic responsibility, reduce the rate of youth involvement in harmful practices, and foster unity among Nigerians despite the nation’s diversity.
In his closing remarks, Mr. Adekunle reaffirmed NOA’s commitment to building stronger communities through information and value reorientation. “The destiny of Nigeria lies not only in the hands of the government but also in the hearts of its people,” he declared. “As we build Nigerians through information, values, and identity, we will indeed build a stronger Nigeria.”
The nationwide enlightenment campaign is expected to run through the coming months with continuous monitoring and evaluation to measure its impact across communities.