Dr. Samuel reaffirmed the committee’s readiness to support initiatives aimed at promoting national orientation, ethics and values
By Onwuka Mmesoma
The member representing Apapa Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Dr. Adedayo Adesola Samuel, has called for stronger collaboration between the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and the House Committee on Information, National Orientation, Ethics and Values to enhance the agency’s effectiveness in carrying out its mandate.
Speaking during the committee’s engagement with the Director General of the National Orientation Agency, Mallam Lanre Issa Onilu, Dr. Samuel commended the agency’s reform initiatives and the ideas presented by its leadership.
He described many of the programmes outlined by the Director General as innovative and capable of advancing national orientation, ethics and civic responsibility among Nigerians.
Despite the commendation, the lawmaker expressed concern over what he described as insufficient engagement between the agency and members of the committee.
According to him, lawmakers are strategically positioned to support government agencies through legislative interventions, advocacy and budgetary backing, but such support can only be effective when there is sustained communication and collaboration.
Dr. Samuel noted that members of the House of Representatives maintain extensive grassroots connections across the country and can serve as valuable partners in advancing the agency’s programmes and sensitization campaigns.
“There are so many ways that this committee can help you achieve many of the ideas that you have put on paper. If we don’t know what is going on with your agency, we will not be able to help,” he said.
The Apapa Federal Constituency representative urged the NOA leadership to strengthen its relationship with the committee and ensure lawmakers are regularly informed about the agency’s activities, challenges and priorities.
Drawing from his experience as a former local government chairman in Lagos State, Dr. Samuel recalled working closely with National Orientation Agency offices on community based sensitization and public enlightenment programmes.
He noted that the agency maintained an active grassroots presence during that period and encouraged its current leadership to build on existing structures and successful initiatives while implementing new reforms.
The lawmaker further emphasized the importance of leveraging the committee’s nationwide reach to deepen public engagement and improve awareness of government programmes and policies.
Dr. Samuel reaffirmed the committee’s readiness to support initiatives aimed at promoting national orientation, ethics and values, stressing that stronger collaboration between lawmakers and the agency would contribute significantly to the successful implementation of its programmes across the country.