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  • Christmas: Make Nigeria a better nation, emulate virtues of Christ, DG NOA Onilu urges

    Christmas: Make Nigeria a better nation, emulate virtues of Christ, DG NOA Onilu urges

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

    The Director General of the National Orientation Agency, NOA, Mallam Issa Onilu has urged Nigerians as they celebrate to imbibe the virtues Christ to make Nigeria a better country.

    In a Christmas felicitation message, Onilu stated that Nigeria’s journey of nationhood has always leveraged on occasions such as Christmas to renew the common bond that unites them, irrespective of religious, tribal or political differences.

    He said, ‘ The birth of Christ symbolizes God’s gift of love to humanity which man must also extend to his fellows and he emphasized the need for love, peace, kindness and forgiveness as exemplified by Jesus Christ.

    Onilu urged Nigerians to ensure that the practice of sharing love outlives the Christmas season, adding that love for all is a panacea to the nation’s challenges.

    According to him, the NOA would continue to promote good virtues and patriotism for lasting peace and mutuality ‎in the society.

    However,he noted that sustaining the spirit of Christmas would help citizens appreciate the principle of the present administration’s Renewed Hope programme.

    The NOA Director General also assured Nigerians that government has put in place adequate security measure to guarantee hitch-free Christmas celebrations, while urging them to remain law abiding and security conscious during and after the Christmas festivities.

  • NOA mourns death of Taiwo Akinkumi, designer of Nigerian National Flag

    NOA mourns death of Taiwo Akinkumi, designer of Nigerian National Flag

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

    The Director General of the National Orientation Agency, (NOA) has mourned the death of Michael Taiwo Akinkumi, the designer of the Nigerian Flag.

    Dr. Garba Abari described the death of the designer of the National Flag, Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi as a loss of a great icon whose contribution to nationhood has stood the test of time.

    In a tribute to late Pa Akinkunmi, Dr. Garba said that the late icon’s design of the national flag has remained one of the most potent rallying charge for patriotism and sovereignty.

    “All of us in NOA mourn you. Nigeria celebrate you. Your design has been the rallying icon for nationhood, for patriotism, for courage, peace and identity. We celebrate your life because over the last 65 years, you watched as your brilliant entry became the most important national icon of our country.”

    The NOA noted that it was for people like him that the Agency has continued to mark 16th September every year as ordinance day in remembrance of our national symbols.

    While condoling with the family, the Director General urged them to take solace in the historical accomplishment of their father who will be remembered for as long as Nigeria remains.

    Pa Akinkunmi, Officer of the Federal Republic, OFR, designed the National flag in 1958 as an engineering student in London.

  • NOA@30: Abari Lauds Staff Over Uncommon Patriotism To Nigeria

    NOA@30: Abari Lauds Staff Over Uncommon Patriotism To Nigeria

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

    As the National Orientation Agency, NOA clocks 30 years of existence, the Director General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Dr. Garba Abari has lauded the staff for their patriotism and resilience to the service of the despite poor conditions of service.

    Abari said this today while congratulating the management and staff of NOA on its 30th anniversary since its establishment by Decree 100 of 1993.
    He acknowledged the immense sacrifices of the Agency’s staff over the years towards ensuring that the sense of brotherhood and patriotism among Nigerians remains unbroken.

    He also commended the staff for being relentless in preserving the moral fabric of the Nigerian society through its numerous nationwide and grassroots sensitization programmes.

    Abari said, “Despite the frequent criticisms by uninformed persons who choose to ignore the daily sacrifices of NOA staff in fulfilling the onerous tasks of social engineering saddled on you by the NOA statute, thankfully, you have remained patriotic, selfless, resilient and undaunted in carrying out your mandate.”

    “Even in the most difficult and risky terrains across this country, with the grossly inadequate resources provided, you are daily on duty, sometimes at the peril of your own lives, galvanizing communities to remain united, respect our national core values and support the government.”

    ” I make bold to say that personnel with such level of dedication and patriotism as there is in NOA can hardly be found anywhere else.”

    NOA Director General however called on staff of the Agency to remain focused and more patriotic in the years ahead.

    “There has never been a time when Nigeria needed the services of the National Orientation Agency and the quality of staff it has more than it does today. I call on you to give the same support and even more to the current administration as you have always done.”
    “Indeed, the future will progressively place more demand on your sense of patriotism and I trust that you will continue to do your best for this country.”

     
    The NOA Director General reiterated the agency’s commitment to it’s mandate and promised to push for better conditions of service and incentives for all staff.

  • NOA 2ND Integrity Club Competition Award Presentation Held At AFCS Kano

    NOA 2ND Integrity Club Competition Award Presentation Held At AFCS Kano

    By Jabiru Hassan, Kano.

    The Kano state directorate of the  National Orientation Agency held it’s second edition of the integrity club national competition award at the Air Force Comprehensive School (AFCS), Kano where prizes were presented to the winners respectively.

    Speaking at the ceremony that was held at Air Marshall MD Umar Hall, AFCS Kano, the state directorate of the agency who was also represented by his deputy Alhaji Salisu disclosed that the agency  was established in 1993 in order to enlighten and mobilise  the general public about government programmes, policies and progress for the betterment of our societies.

     He added that the competition is aimed to brighten the brains of the young ones especially at present when the world is advancing in the area of education at both levels, where he commended the management of AFCS Kano for giving quality education  to the younger generation at the grassroots level since inception.

    Alhaji Salisu therefore charged the winners of the competition to be good ambassadors to their respective schools and reassured that National Orientation Agency would continue to organise similar events in order to sharpen the beginners brains without bias.

     Earlier in his welcome address, the commandant, Air Force Comprehensive School Kano Wing Commander M. Garba stressed that the Nigeria Air Force Authority deserves commendation from all for establishing comprehensive schools across the country which is now becoming profitable in educating the young ones and at the grassroots levels.

    He therefore thanked the National Orientation Agency (NOA) Kano directorate for organising the best competition at the right time where students from different academy were included in order to makes then more prepared in their future academic pursuits.

    Our correspondent reported that the award presentation was colourfull  with NOA team, invited schools and AFCS Management team in attendance, while all those who had a chat with newsmen described AFCS Kano as one of the best academy that can win more competitions in future.

  • Sallah: NOA urges Muslim Ummah to pray for peace, stay safe from COVID-19

    Sallah: NOA urges Muslim Ummah to pray for peace, stay safe from COVID-19

    By Joyce Remi- Babayeju

    In a Sallah message to mark this year’s Eid- Al Adha the the National Orientation Agency, NOA, has urged Muslim Ummah and Nigerians to examplify the lessons of Obedience and Sacrifice by Prophet Ibrahim (AS) by praying for peace security and wellbeing of the country.
    This was contained in a Sallah message by the Director General of NOA, Dr. Garba Abari.


    Abari further enjoined the Muslim Ummah to imbibe the values and lessons that the celebration signifies for the progress, unity and development of the country and also to uphold the lessons of selflessness, discipline obedience and sacrifice which is the essence of the celebration.
    He also called on the Ummah and indeed all Nigerians to stay and keep safe in view of the confirmed upsurge in COVID 19 infections noting that the Delta Variant of the virus is already in the country.

    He charged all Nigerians to remain law abiding and embrace the spirit of kindness, tolerance, self-discipline, obedience and sacrifice as the theme of this festival for peaceful coexistence among all citizens irrespective of religious, ethnic and political affiliations.

    While wishing the Muslim Ummah a happy and peaceful celebration, the NOA Director General urged them to avoid large gatherings and comply with strict adherence to all prescribed non pharmaceutical preventive measures of facial coverings, constant hand washing and physical distancing during the Sallah celebration.

  • Re-Enforce Security Institutions, Aggressive Campaigns To Curb Insecurity In Nigeria – NOA

    Re-Enforce Security Institutions, Aggressive Campaigns To Curb Insecurity In Nigeria – NOA

    By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

    The Kogi state Director, National Orientation Agency, (NOA), Ambassador Mohammed Othman Abdullahi, on Monday in Lokoja called for the constant re-enforcement and sustenance of institutions responsible for security management and awareness campaigns in Nigeria.

    Amb. Abdullahic made the call at the five – day training on “community Engagement between Stakeholders and Security Providers in Communities at Risk of Violence, Extremism” organised by NOA in collaboration with United Nations Development Programs.(UNDP).

    The Director who identified eight pillars of peace accounts for the level peace in the society said it includes well-functioning government, equitable distribution of resources, free flow of information, good relationships with neighbours, high levels of human, capital, acceptance of the right of others, low levels of corruption and sound business environment.

    “My office will continue to promote peaceful relationship among people all ages, ethnicity, religion and culture through security awareness creation, dialogue and advocacy because peace building is dynamic and progressive in the society” he said.

    “NOA Directorate has been engaging the communities with security awareness campaign and it is our belief that this will activate positive peace in the state for sustainable development and empowerment of community peace builders” he added.

    “On our part as National Orientation Agency, (NOA) kogi state directorate will continue to support all UNDP programs in the state to ensure that the objectives of setting them up are achieved.”

    “For Nigeria to address issues of peace tranquility and peaceful coexistence, it requires the government, citizen, the young and old, especially youth and women to be alive to their responsibilities so that we can move Nigeria to its greatness.”

    Ambassador Abdullahi noted that President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive on the implementation of the frame work has addressed all aspects which according to him has contributed to the prevention and countering violent extremism in the short, medium and long-term goals.

    Earlier, the National Expert on prevention of violent extremism, governance, peace and security of UNDP, Nigeria, Mr Chukwuma Ume
    stressed that the objectives of the programme is to create awareness and educate violence prone communities to be proactive in conflict management and resolution.

    He pointed out that the aim of bringing two local government areas in Kogi, (Dekina and Okene) together is to create a platform for an exchange ideas towards Curbing violence and ensuring violence free society.

  • NOA charges youths on fight against corruption

    NOA charges youths on fight against corruption

    The Director General of National Orientation Agency (NOA) Dr Garba Abari, has called on Nigerian youths to support the fight against corruption in the country.

    He has also urged them to reject leaders who want to manipulate them against constituted authority.

    Abari gave the advice in his remarks at the one-day campaign on youth participation in national development, tagged, “National Youth Summit 2021” in Uyo on Thursday.

    The director general, who was represented by the State Director of NOA, Mr Enoh Uyoh, appealed to the youth to rise up in unison to protect the unity of Nigeria.

    Abari emphasised that an immoral and corrupt society filled with impunity, social injustices and absence of equity and rule of law was a threat to the progress of the nation.

    Abari told the youth that poverty, ignorance, diseases and dearth of infrastructure being experienced in the country today does not recognise ethnic, religious or regional differences.

    “I wish to use this opportunity to advise the youths to resist being used by selfish leaders to further their political ambitions.

    “These they do by manipulating our people using ethnicity, religion and sectional differences which has brought a lot of harm to our nation.

    “Their actions have weakened the unity of our people and turn their attention away from pursing national economic development and political progress.

    “They have employed religion and ethnicity to get away with bad leadership and corruption that are prevalent in the country.” The DG said.

    In his keynote address, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Akwa Ibom, Comrade Ini Ememobong, appealed to government to create an enabling environment to allow youth contribute their quota towards the development of the country.

    Ememobong, who was represented by Mrs Grace Akpan, Director in the ministry said that youth played a great role in nation building as they have the power to help a country develop and move towards progress.

    “The youth are capable of bringing social reform and improvement to the society if their energy are harnessed and utilized.

    “No country can exist and grow without youth the component. It is evidently clear that, the nation requires youth participation to grow and progress in attaining its lofty goals,” Ememobong said.

    Earlier in a remark, Dr Dorothy Thompson, Chairman Ethical and Attitudinal Reorientation Agency, urged the youth to embrace value reorietation to enhance the development of the country.

    Thompson charged the youths to stay away from all negative vices that could bring bad report to the country adding that youths were important decimal in the development of the society.

    In a goodwill message, the Commissioner of Police, Andrew Amiengheme, said that there was linkage between youths and national development.

    Amiengheme, who was represented by the Divisional Police Officer, DSP Ekpeni Ajah, said the wheel of development of any nation to a large extent depended on productive and creative the youths population were.

  • Disregard sinister motives about COVID- 19 vaccine, NOA warns Nigerians

    Disregard sinister motives about COVID- 19 vaccine, NOA warns Nigerians

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

    The National Orientation Agency, NOA, has warned Nigerians on the sinister motives making rounds about the COVID-19 vaccines and advised the public to disregard conspiracy theories associated to such.

    Director General of NOA, Garba Abari, gave the warning while responding to insinuations of possible use of the vaccines as a population control cum DNA altering measure.
    Abari debunked the idea, stressing that no vaccine will be allowed into Nigeria or administered to Nigerians without thorough testing and approval by relevant Nigerian authorities.

    He said the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), as the Agency responsible for certifying medications for use in Nigeria and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), as the Agency responsible for administration of vaccines in Nigeria will never allow any vaccine that will endanger the lives and wellbeing of Nigerians.

    Abari noted that the COVID-19 Vaccines are the products of rigorous research by globally reputable companies which produce many of the vaccines used against several other diseases across the world, including Nigeria, adding that the COVID-19 Vaccines have been subjected to standard tests and certified safe by the World Health Organization.

    He described as unfortunate the narratives being put out by some leaders in the country alleging that the vaccines have ulterior motives.

    He called on political, religious and traditional leaders to be cautious with their utterances and be guided by reliable and verifiable knowledge base rather than assumptions to avoid misguiding their followers.

    He therefore urged Nigerians to make themselves available for COVID-19 vaccination whenever the vaccines are available in the country and administered by the NPHCDA after NAFDAC approval as there is no cause for apprehension over the vaccines.

  • NOA morns demise of Gambo Jemita

    NOA morns demise of Gambo Jemita

     By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

    The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has mourned the demise of  former Chairman of Mass Mobilization for Self Reliance, Social Justice and Self Recovery (MAMSER) and former Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Gambo Jimeta describing him as a patriot who served the  nation with dignity   for over 40 years.

    Alhaji Gambo Jimeta was Chairman of MAMSER between April 1992 and January 1993 and paved the way for the transformation of MAMSER into today’s National Orientation Agency in August 1993.

    In a message of condolence, NOA Director General, Dr. Garba Abari said Jimeta’s departure has robbed the country of a valued statesman who stood as an icon of discipline, patriotism and dedication.

     He said there was still a lot that Nigeria could have benefitted from his wealth of experience as former Chairman of MAMSER.

    Jimeta was the 7th Inspector General of Police, former National Security Adviser to former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida, former Minister of Agriculture and Natural Resources and also served as member of the Committee on Prerogative of Mercy under the President Goodluck Jonathan government.

    The NOA Director General urged the Jimeta family and all Nigerians to take solace in the fact that he left legacies worthy of emulation and will always have a special place in Nigeria’s history.

    Abari prayed for the eternal repose of Gambo Jimeta’s soul and for God to grant his family the fortitude to bear this great and irreparable loss.

  • Covid-19 infection can Infect more than once – NOA

    Covid-19 infection can Infect more than once – NOA

    The National Orientation Agency has warned Nigerians that coronavirus can be contracted more than once.

    The Federal Government’s agency gave the warning in a series of tweets to enlighten Nigerians on COVID-19.

    NOA said this while responding to a question on whether those who had recovered from coronavirus need to be vaccinated.

    It tweeted, “Recovery from #COVID-19 infection after treatment does not give you immunity from being infected again. Vaccine doses will protect you from contracting the virus.

    “NPHCDA recommends that you get vaccinated even if you have already had COVID-19 because you can be infected more than once. While you have some short-term antibody protection after recovering from COVID-19, we do not know how long this protection will last. Hence, it is recommended that you get vaccinated because you can be re-infected.”

    The agency also discouraged Nigerians against “natural immunity” and recommended immunity from a vaccine.

    It added, “There is no guarantee that if you get COVID-19, you will get immunity. In fact, you may get serious illness and die or have debilitating symptoms that may persist for months.

    “Even if you survive the disease, you may only develop short-term anti-body protection after recovery from COVID-19, we do not know how long this protection lasts.

    Therefore, vaccination is the best protection, and it is safe.

    “Immunity you will get from #COVID19 vaccination is scientifically proven to be effective.
    Vaccination is the best protection and it is safe!”