By Joy Salami
The National Orientation Agency (NOA), Kogi State Directorate, has flagged off a nationwide sensitization campaign aimed at deepening public awareness on government policies, disaster management, national security, and value reorientation.
Speaking during a press briefing and stakeholders’ engagement held in Lokoja, Mr. Patrick Edogbanya, the State Director of NOA explained that the programme would focus on five major issues that currently affect Nigeria, ranging from natural disasters to moral values.
He pointed out the country’s recurrent challenges, especially flooding, which he said has been aggravated by human attitudes such as careless waste disposal and poor planning.
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He also decried the rising trend of “dangerous signing-out” by graduating students, which has now crept from tertiary institutions into secondary and even primary schools. According to him, such extreme practices damage the country’s image both at home and abroad and point to a deeper problem of moral laxity.
The State Director further emphasised that the campaign was in line with NOA’s mandate of enlightening citizens on government programmes. He said the agency has consistently used various tools, including its “Explainer” platform, to break down government activities across different sectors for the people’s understanding.
He added that issues of security also remain a concern, stressing that those causing insecurity are Nigerians themselves, and that attitude and character change remain central to addressing the problem.
Reassuring stakeholders of the agency’s preparedness, Mr. Patrick noted that community mobilization and orientation officers across Kogi’s 21 local government areas have been adequately trained to take the campaign to the grassroots in languages people understand. “By the grace of God, our staff at the headquarters and local government are ready to carry out this nationwide activity which the DG has come here this morning to flag off,” he said.
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Director General of NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, Mrs. Yenami Margaret, Deputy Director of Abuse, Rights and Narcotics, described the campaign as a nationwide exercise covering five thematic areas.
She explained that the agency’s expanded mandate includes sensitizing Nigerians on government policies and programmes, flooding and disaster preparedness, national security awareness, values reorientation for students and youths, and the Nigerian identity project with emphasis on national symbols.
According to her, the NOA has strengthened its communication platforms by revamping its website and deploying an AI-driven tool known as “CLEAN,” which addresses issues such as crime, lawlessness, environmental degradation, and educational backwardness.
The agency, she added, has also leveraged social media, documentaries, jingles, and a weekly “Explainer” e-journal to reach diverse audiences, especially the youth.
Highlighting specific policies, she said the government has already disbursed over ₦59 billion under the Nigerian Education Loan Fund to more than 600,000 students in public tertiary institutions, while over two million households are enrolled in the Conditional Cash Transfer scheme. Initiatives like TraderMoni, FarmerMoni, and the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund were also cited as examples of the government’s ongoing social and economic interventions.
On disaster preparedness, the DG’s representative urged Nigerians to adhere to regular early warning advisories from NIMET, noting that poor waste management and blocked drainage systems remain key contributors to flooding. She also outlined government’s security awareness strategy, which includes the deployment of new security personnel, advanced surveillance, and grassroots engagement with communities.
For students and youths, she stressed that the campaign would intensify the push against extreme sign-out practices and instead promote positive national values. The Nigerian identity project, she added, would re-emphasize respect for national symbols such as the flag, anthem, pledge, naira, and the constitution.
Mrs. Margaret assured that the sensitization campaign would reach all 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory, and the 774 local government areas through town hall meetings, advocacy visits, school engagements, religious gatherings, markets, and motor parks.
Stakeholders present at the Lokoja event, including civil society representatives, community leaders, security agencies, and students, commended NOA for the initiative and pledged to support the nationwide campaign.
