By Dallas Olowodun
I am one of the many who joined the agency with lots of optimisim. My late dad, a Lawyer, Lecturer and Bussinessman who was about human rights and activism was a proud Nigerian! Great Ife!!! he would always scream pumping his fist several times. He saw the then Bendel State as the best cluster of ethnic groups in the country always singing praise about exploits and history about Sapele, Benin, Ugheli, Agbor and Auchi.
I grew up listening to him say Nigerian youth need a RE-ORIENTATION! So when the opportunity came… Now the National Orientation Agency (NOA) having the mandate to sensitize the populace and bring about behavioral modification is definitely out of sorts in these regard, with several programs and campaigns over the decades to get Nigerians out of the murky waters of corruption and deviance.
But does the Agency have what it takes to succeed on her purpose? OH YES! We have the manpower, seasoned Civil Servants, passionate confessionals and a team of dedicated administrators who have to only tweak it a bit, put in a little effort then with strong backing from the Presidency and the legislative body, NOA shall achieve all her objectives!
I believe in Nigeria, amidst the moral decay, injustice, poor infrastructure and corruption, there is an excellent spirit in Nigerians. We have the best brains outside the shores of the land, we have grit and tenacity, we are indestructible! Thus this agency of ours is in our hands the ‘resurrect’
Establish National Orientation Ethics and Values in Primary schools. Administer exams for all youth corppers on Orientation and National Unity, Behavioral Modification should be a course in the Forces and all Paramilitary oufits with the NOA at the heart of drawing a curriculum and doing appraisals.
The Presidency should takeover the agency and give her deliverable, targets and hold her accountable to the gains and otherwise. Partner with the Berekete Family and other well meaning relevant NGOs. We should re-institute the Federal Intelligence and Information Bureau with all Forces and security agencies. Put NOA on the Global space across mainstream media and Social Media!
Set up a body to bring up periodic journals on Historic narratives, positive or otherwise, emigration patterns of Africans, successful African stories and staying power of Institutions, businesses and Individuals. We can do this, not for what we will earn materially but for a legacy for this generation!
Arise O Compatriots!
