By Patrick Ochei
The Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issah-Onilu, represented by the Director, General Services, NOA, Mrs. Rebecca Nasamu has said that the nation’s values had been eroded as a result of years of neglect by citizens, thereby insisting that it’s time for total overhaul in order to begin to redeem our public image.
The DG made the assertion while responding to questions posed by journalists during a press conference on World HIV/AIDS Day, Security Awareness, Shun Get Rich Quick Syndrome, World Human Rights Day and Tax Reforms as focus of the briefing in Asaba, Delta State.
The DG who took time to explain these key areas of the briefing, maintained that it is time for all citizens to get involved in supporting and cultivating the values that best work for Nigeria with a view to commence a reengineering of the social, political, economic and religious emancipation of its citizens.
Explaining the efforts of government in mainstreaming the best values for her people as it has always been, the DG said, government had intensified effort in providing free HIV and AIDS testing and screening of patients across the country. She called on all citizens to take advantage of the opportunity provided by government to halt the spread of the scourge.
On the issue of security, she claimed that government is expanding policing to strengthen internal security and that it requires active participation of all citizens. She said citizens must be conscious of the fact that security begins with them.
However, in providing solution to the menace of get rich quick syndrome, the DG profiled a number of government’s interventions in that regard, including skills acquisition and entrepreneurial development for youths, easier access to funding for education and more.
Meanwhile, in commemorating the world human rights day, the DG acknowledged government’s efforts towards curbing human rights abuses while providing sincere channels of achieving justice for victims.
On the controversial Tax Reforms Bill, the DG implored Nigerians to critically study the Bill in their best interest, while urging its acceptance towards the overall benefit of all.
The DG said the Agency had formulated what it called National Values Charter to begin to guide the conducts and attitudes of citizens, especially the leaders.
Earlier in her speech, the Delta State Director of NOA, Comrade Mrs. Tracy Ikolomi had welcomed journalists to the press conference while appreciating them for their usual support and cooperation.
Speaking to the conscience of her audience who are expected to cascade the orientation message to the grassroots, Ikolomi said the essence of the programme could only be better explained through the theme “Promoting Awareness, Ethical Values and National Development”.
At the end of the press conference, the Agency went into a Townhall Meeting to further engage stakeholders on her goals and missions towards the nationwide sensitization campaign on the five critical issues that are central to our nation’s well-being, unity and development.
