₦airaland Forum

Why The Nigeria National Orientation Agency (NOA) Needs to Step Up Its Game

By Kolade Akinyele Abel

As Nigerians, we all know how important it is to have a sense of national pride and unity. That's why the National Orientation Agency (NOA) was set up in the first place - to promote patriotism, national unity, and development.

However, I believe that NOA can do more to fulfill its purpose. Here are some ways I think the agency can step up its game:

Firstly, NOA should organize more essay competitions, debates, and quizzes in schools. This will help sensitize young Nigerians to issues relating to national development and encourage them to think critically about the country's challenges. I understand that NOA could have been organising these competitions but none of them is as popular and engaging as the competitions we used to know while growing. Television programs such as "Speak Out'" (a weekly inter-school debating completion usually televised on NTA stations), "Bournvita Brain Match" ( a weekly inter-school quiz competition usually televised on NTA stations) and several others can be recreated on our mainstream and downstream media with focus on promoting patriotism, national unity and nation development.

Permit me to shed light on this point. I remember while growing up as a secondary school student in Lagos, I was appointed by the Head of my school language department, Mrs. Aworetan, as the Chief Speaker of one of the debating competitions organised by Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA). My school scaled through the final stage of the competition which was televised on NTA Channel 10. That program made me a celebrity in my school and my neighborhood. Till date, I can still recall the topic of the final debating session because it remains relevant to me. I was to speak against the motion: "Continuous Environmental Sanitation Exercise is Not Responsible for Low Life Expectancy Rate." If not for the competition, I wouldn't have known that there was an agency in Lagos state called LASEPA. Apart from that, the research that my team did to win the competition exposed me to a lot about how we need to regularly keep our environment clean. Eventually, in 2014, with my continuous orientation and consciousness about the need to always keep my environment clean, I established a cleaning company based in Lagos, Nigeria. Now, can you see what that meaningful effort from the agency later yielded in me?

Secondly, the Nigerian social media space is filled with several irrelevant audio visual contents that are not in anyway useful for the development of the nation. Many of them expose our youths to pornography, cyber crime, prostitution and violence. NOA should take advantage of this gap to sponsor more media projects involving skits and playlets on key public orientation issues. This will help communicate important messages to the public in a fun and engaging way.

Thirdly, NOA needs to create social media platforms that will orientate the public about government activities, achievements, and plans for the future. In today's digital age, social media is a powerful tool for communication and engagement.

Also, the agency should create a web platform where citizens can access the social media contacts of their elected representatives, from local government councilors to the President. This will help promote transparency and accountability in government.

Lastly, I suggest that the Federal government and the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy should prioritize working hand in hand with NOA as a key project. With adequate attention and resources, the agency can achieve its goals and promote national development. So, let's hope NOA takes these suggestions on board and step up its game. Nigeria needs NOA now!

What do you think? Share your thoughts!




Kolade A. Akinyele is a writer, entrepreneur, consultant and certified brand inspector. He is part of the team that created Playmyjamz; an award-winning music streaming web platform for underprivileged upcoming artistes who do not have enough financial resources to promote and share their songs online. Kolade is also one of the directors of a not-for-profit organization; AYITI (Access for Youth to Information Technology Initiative). He is the CEO of Think First Educational Consult and Afterlife Cleaning Company. You can reach him via abelakinyele@gmail.com.

Well done. The Ministry of Interior had been redundant and useless ever since it was created, we only hear about them when they want to announce public holidays. When Ogbeni Aregbesola headed the ministry, I thought he would make a difference but nothing changed. Thank God for Dr.Olubunmi Ojo who made us to know and feel the real impact of the ministry of interior apart from just announcing public holidays. I never knew it is the ministry that is even in charge of Immigration and passport palava. The message here is that you should dare to make a difference in whatever you find yourself doing. Whatever is worth doing is worth doing well.

Mr Lanre Issa-Onilu is the Director General of the National Orientation Agency but he has done nothing to make any difference in the ministry. I remember when Late Dora Akunyili and Fela Durotoye were promoting #ProudlyNigeria It was all over the nation. We need such electrifying movement from NOA.

In fact, I want to suggest that President Tinubu should consider appointing the likes of *Reno Omokri* or *Fela Durotoye* with their experience in nation-building and social media engagement, any of the two would be an excellent fit to head the agency. So, let's hope NOA takes these suggestions on board and step up its game. Nigeria needs NOA now!

We need more of this for other inactive agencies and ministries to wake up. There are still several other redundant agencies and ministries in Nigeria. The consumer protection agencies in Nigeria, especially the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, is another agency that we all need to talk about. When the person in charge is underperforming, there is no need to keep him/her there for the next 4 years, let the person be replaced quickly. Appointments here should not be a political affair if you want the best result.

Sensitization is necessary, the average Nigerian who make alot of noise on social media everyday don't even know anything about Nigeria.
The other day, a Nigerian was arguing with me that ProForce don't exist in Nigeria, so many basic stuffs they should know, they won't know but will be quick to iñsuIt and àbusè their home thinking it makes them sophisticated.

Nigeria needs NOA now!

It is the duty of NOA to do the sensitisation.

JagabanBorgu:
Sensitization is necessary, the average Nigerian who make alot of noise on social media everyday don't even know anything about Nigeria.
The other day, a Nigerian was arguing with me that ProForce don't exist in Nigeria, so many basic stuffs they should know, they won't know but will be quick to iñsuIt and àbusè their home thinking it makes them sophisticated.

Yes, they really need to do a lot to impress Nigerians. To whom much is given, much is expected. Thank you @OP for this piece. As for the DG of NOA, take this as a Call to Action!

Noted

Noted
Thank you
Can I share this in other platforms?

heavenhills:
Why The Nigeria National Orientation Agency (NOA) Needs to Step Up Its Game

By Kolade Akinyele Abel

As Nigerians, we all know how important it is to have a sense of national pride and unity. That's why the National Orientation Agency (NOA) was set up in the first place - to promote patriotism, national unity, and development.

However, I believe that NOA can do more to fulfill its purpose. Here are some ways I think the agency can step up its game:

Firstly, NOA should organize more essay competitions, debates, and quizzes in schools. This will help sensitize young Nigerians to issues relating to national development and encourage them to think critically about the country's challenges. I understand that NOA could have been organising these competitions but none of them is as popular and engaging as the competitions we used to know while growing. Television programs such as "Speak Out'" (a weekly inter-school debating completion usually televised on NTA stations), "Bournvita Brain Match" ( a weekly inter-school quiz competition usually televised on NTA stations) and several others can be recreated on our mainstream and downstream media with focus on promoting patriotism, national unity and nation development.

Permit me to shed light on this point. I remember while growing up as a secondary school student in Lagos, I was appointed by the Head of my school language department, Mrs. Aworetan, as the Chief Speaker of one of the debating competitions organised by Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA). My school scaled through the final stage of the competition which was televised on NTA Channel 10. That program made me a celebrity in my school and my neighborhood. Till date, I can still recall the topic of the final debating session because it remains relevant to me. I was to speak against the motion: "Continuous Environmental Sanitation Exercise is Not Responsible for Low Life Expectancy Rate." If not for the competition, I wouldn't have known that there was an agency in Lagos state called LASEPA. Apart from that, the research that my team did to win the competition exposed me to a lot about how we need to regularly keep our environment clean. Eventually, in 2014, with my continuous orientation and consciousness about the need to always keep my environment clean, I established a cleaning company based in Lagos, Nigeria. Now, can you see what that meaningful effort from the agency later yielded in me?

Secondly, the Nigerian social media space is filled with several irrelevant audio visual contents that are not in anyway useful for the development of the nation. Many of them expose our youths to pornography, cyber crime, prostitution and violence. NOA should take advantage of this gap to sponsor more media projects involving skits and playlets on key public orientation issues. This will help communicate important messages to the public in a fun and engaging way.

Thirdly, NOA needs to create social media platforms that will orientate the public about government activities, achievements, and plans for the future. In today's digital age, social media is a powerful tool for communication and engagement.

Also, the agency should create a web platform where citizens can access the social media contacts of their elected representatives, from local government councilors to the President. This will help promote transparency and accountability in government.

Lastly, I suggest that the Federal government and the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy should prioritize working hand in hand with NOA as a key project. With adequate attention and resources, the agency can achieve its goals and promote national development. So, let's hope NOA takes these suggestions on board and step up its game. Nigeria needs NOA now!

What do you think? Share your thoughts!




Kolade A. Akinyele is a writer, entrepreneur, consultant and certified brand inspector. He is part of the team that created Playmyjamz; an award-winning music streaming web platform for underprivileged upcoming artistes who do not have enough financial resources to promote and share their songs online. Kolade is also one of the directors of a not-for-profit organization; AYITI (Access for Youth to Information Technology Initiative). He is the CEO of Think First Educational Consult and Afterlife Cleaning Company. You can reach him via abelakinyele@gmail.com.

Princesslee:
Noted
Thank you
Can I share this in other platforms?

You are free to share it, but kindly acknowledge the source, just as I did.

Reno would do a splendid job for the NOA and the Nigerian brand.

Sure, that is true. I am sure he will.

OkCornel:
Reno would do a splendid job for the NOA and the Nigerian brand.

@OP, I think you are right but recently I see a lot of jungles and adverts from NOA on TVC, especially while watching "Your View" which is one of my favorite TV shows. Also, the General Manager was present at the site of the fire outbreak from fallen petrol tanker. I saw that on NTA news. Yes, they are doing better with media visibility now but for the other points you noted, they can work on it. Bravo!

heavenhills:
Why The Nigeria National Orientation Agency (NOA) Needs to Step Up Its Game

By Kolade Akinyele Abel

As Nigerians, we all know how important it is to have a sense of national pride and unity. That's why the National Orientation Agency (NOA) was set up in the first place - to promote patriotism, national unity, and development.

However, I believe that NOA can do more to fulfill its purpose. Here are some ways I think the agency can step up its game:

Firstly, NOA should organize more essay competitions, debates, and quizzes in schools. This will help sensitize young Nigerians to issues relating to national development and encourage them to think critically about the country's challenges. I understand that NOA could have been organising these competitions but none of them is as popular and engaging as the competitions we used to know while growing. Television programs such as "Speak Out'" (a weekly inter-school debating completion usually televised on NTA stations), "Bournvita Brain Match" ( a weekly inter-school quiz competition usually televised on NTA stations) and several others can be recreated on our mainstream and downstream media with focus on promoting patriotism, national unity and nation development.

Permit me to shed light on this point. I remember while growing up as a secondary school student in Lagos, I was appointed by the Head of my school language department, Mrs. Aworetan, as the Chief Speaker of one of the debating competitions organised by Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA). My school scaled through the final stage of the competition which was televised on NTA Channel 10. That program made me a celebrity in my school and my neighborhood. Till date, I can still recall the topic of the final debating session because it remains relevant to me. I was to speak against the motion: "Continuous Environmental Sanitation Exercise is Not Responsible for Low Life Expectancy Rate." If not for the competition, I wouldn't have known that there was an agency in Lagos state called LASEPA. Apart from that, the research that my team did to win the competition exposed me to a lot about how we need to regularly keep our environment clean. Eventually, in 2014, with my continuous orientation and consciousness about the need to always keep my environment clean, I established a cleaning company based in Lagos, Nigeria. Now, can you see what that meaningful effort from the agency later yielded in me?

Secondly, the Nigerian social media space is filled with several irrelevant audio visual contents that are not in anyway useful for the development of the nation. Many of them expose our youths to pornography, cyber crime, prostitution and violence. NOA should take advantage of this gap to sponsor more media projects involving skits and playlets on key public orientation issues. This will help communicate important messages to the public in a fun and engaging way.

Thirdly, NOA needs to create social media platforms that will orientate the public about government activities, achievements, and plans for the future. In today's digital age, social media is a powerful tool for communication and engagement.

Also, the agency should create a web platform where citizens can access the social media contacts of their elected representatives, from local government councilors to the President. This will help promote transparency and accountability in government.

Lastly, I suggest that the Federal government and the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy should prioritize working hand in hand with NOA as a key project. With adequate attention and resources, the agency can achieve its goals and promote national development. So, let's hope NOA takes these suggestions on board and step up its game. Nigeria needs NOA now!

What do you think? Share your thoughts!




Kolade A. Akinyele is a writer, entrepreneur, consultant and certified brand inspector. He is part of the team that created Playmyjamz; an award-winning music streaming web platform for underprivileged upcoming artistes who do not have enough financial resources to promote and share their songs online. Kolade is also one of the directors of a not-for-profit organization; AYITI (Access for Youth to Information Technology Initiative). He is the CEO of Think First Educational Consult and Afterlife Cleaning Company. You can reach him via abelakinyele@gmail.com.

Don't you think they can do better?

UnbiasTruth:
@OP, I think you are right but recently I see a lot of jungles and adverts from NOA on TVC, especially while watching "Your View" which is one of my favorite TV shows. Also, the General Manager was present at the site of the fire outbreak from fallen petrol tanker. I saw that on NTA news. Yes, they are doing better with media visibility now but for the other points you noted, they can work on it. Bravo!