National Orientation Agency occupies a strategic position in promoting government policies, national values and civic responsibility
By Onwuka Mmesoma
The Deputy Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Information, National Orientation, Ethics and Values, Hon. Felix Uche, representing Eleme/Tai/Oyigbo Federal Constituency of Rivers State, has challenged the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to demonstrate how its programmes and initiatives are reaching Nigerians at the grassroots level.
Speaking during the committee’s engagement with the Director General of the National Orientation Agency, Mallam Lanre Issa Onilu, the lawmaker acknowledged the reforms and initiatives presented by the agency but questioned their visibility and impact in local communities across the country.
According to him, while the agency’s programmes and policy frameworks appeared impressive, the key issue remained how such initiatives were being communicated to ordinary Nigerians at the grassroots.
Hon. Uche noted that many of the ideas outlined by the NOA leadership focused on national values and civic responsibility, but stressed that meaningful change would require sustained engagement with young people and communities across the country.
He observed that concerns had already been raised by committee members regarding the visibility of the agency’s activities in their constituencies and local government areas.
The deputy chairman stated that while the agency’s funding challenges were well understood, adequate resources remained essential for effective public enlightenment and sensitization campaigns.
Addressing the Director General, he noted that Issa Onilu’s political experience and access to the highest levels of government placed him in a position to advocate for stronger institutional support for the agency.
According to him, the National Orientation Agency occupies a strategic position in promoting government policies, national values and civic responsibility, making it necessary for the agency to secure the resources required to effectively discharge its mandate.
Hon. Uche urged the NOA leadership to continue seeking greater support for the agency to enable it deepen its grassroots engagement and improve public awareness of its programmes across the country.
Responding to the observation, Issa Onilu acknowledged the concerns raised and indicated that issues relating to funding and support for the agency involve broader considerations, adding that efforts were ongoing to address some of the challenges facing the organization.