REMARKS BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND NATIONAL ORIENTATION, ALHAJI MOHAMMED IDRIS, AT THE EXPANDED RETREAT OF THE NATIONAL ORIENTATION AGENCY (NOA), IN ABUJA, NIGERIA, ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2024
Protocol.
1. It is my pleasure to be here with you at this expanded management retreat of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), one of the agencies under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation.
2. Eleven months ago I paid a formal visit here as part of my familiarisation tour of agencies under the Ministry, shortly after my appointment as Minister.
3. In the time since then, so much has changed here at the Agency. There is a new Director-General, who assumed office very shortly after that inaugural visit of mine, and who has put in a lot of work to reposition and re-energize the agency and align it with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, and with the impactful vision of the founding fathers of the agency.
4. Let me quickly seize this opportunity to specially recognize and commend the efforts of Mr. Lanre Issa-Onilu and his management team; efforts which are already yielding results and being attested to within and outside the institution.
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
5. The National Orientation Agency no doubt plays a very critical role within the framework of information management, citizen engagement and civic values in Nigeria.
6. Since its establishment, the NOA has earned a reputation as one of the most grassroots-oriented public agencies in the country, with unparalleled capacity to disseminate the policies and programs of the federal government while also staying plugged in to the pulse of the citizenry.
7. In accomplishing its mandate, the NOA has become one of the most vital and essential tools for shaping national narratives and conversations, promoting unity against a backdrop of diversity, and fostering a sense of inclusiveness and belonging in every part of the country.
8. As the world has evolved, especially in the areas of globalization and technological innovation, so have the demands and expectations confronting the NOA. The methods and strategies that may have been essential yesterday may not necessarily be effective today. It therefore becomes very important to stay in tune with the times, and with the attitudes and expectations of all stakeholders.
9. I am very pleased to note that the NOA, under the leadership of Mr. Issa-Onilu, has prioritized technology in the work of the Agency, in keeping with the realities of the 21st Century.
10. The NOA has become one of the most technology-compliant agencies in Nigeria today, taking the lead in the deployment of digital tools and technologies like The Mobiliser App, as well as a well-received Artificial Intelligence platform for civic awareness and engagement, among other initiatives.
11. The agency has also breathed life into its engagements and partnerships with stakeholders within and outside the government, setting a worthy example for other MDAs to follow.
12. When I paid my maiden visit here in October 2023, I recall saying that I looked forward to working with the agency to, I quote, “kickstart, on the President’s directives, a nationwide re-orientation and reawakening campaign, and I will be requiring a comprehensive roadmap from you within the shortest possible time. You already have the experience of doing this, as well as the skills and the enthusiasm.” End of quote.
13. I am delighted to say that we have since then gone very far in this regard, producing a brand-new National Values Charter for our dear country, in line with the President’s commitment to a moral, ethical and cultural re-awakening across the land, and the entrenchment of the right values, attitudes, habits and perspectives deep in the hearts and minds of all the people of this great nation.
14. The National Values Charter—one of the flagship initiatives of the Ministry of Information and National Orientation, through the National Orientation Agency—has been carefully crafted and designed to accomplish two primary goals:
a. On the one hand, to ensure that all Nigerians are fully aware of their rights and protections under the constitution and the laws of the land, and that governments at all levels are equally aware of all the constitutionally-guaranteed obligations that they have to the citizenry. This first goal is encapsulated in the seven (7) “Core Promises” aspect of the Charter.
b. On the other hand, to sensitize and awaken all Nigerians to all of our responsibilities as citizens of this great and beautiful country—which means the responsibilities that we have not just to one another, but also to the government and the nation. This second goal is captured in the seven (7) “Commitments” aspect of the Charter.
15. The Charter therefore nicely balances rights and responsibilities, within the democratic context that our country proudly upholds.
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
16. The journey of lasting transformation has just commenced. It will not be an easy one, just as we are not people who give up in the face of challenges and obstacles.
17. We will press forward boldly and confidently until we are able to fully unlock the Nigeria of our dreams, a country where citizen and country share deep mutual love and respect for each other. Let us at this moment in time rededicate ourselves to this lofty ambition.
18. This retreat is a step in that direction, offering us yet another opportunity to refine the vision and to redouble the effort, as we advance on a journey that has unlimited potential to shape the future of our country.
19. In closing, I would like to wish us all insightful proceedings and deliberations in this all-important retreat. It is my hope and expectation that all of the outcomes of this gathering will be faithfully implemented.
20. I thank you for your kind attention. It is truly a pleasure to be here with you today.