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Tag: National Orientation Agency

  • NOA urges Nigerians to prioritise liver health

    NOA urges Nigerians to prioritise liver health

    To  improve public health through education, the National Orientation Agency has urged Nigerians to live healthier lifestyles as a way of protecting their liver.

    The call was made on the agency’s social media handles as part of the celebration of the World Liver Day.

     In a detailed advisory shared by the agency, it advised Nigerians against lifestyle choices that may jeopardise the health of their liver.

     This, said the agency, include excessive alcohol consumption, sedentary lifestyle and use of medications not prescribed by qualified medical personnel.

    It urged Nigerians to engage in physical activities, consumption of diets rich in fruits and vegetables, regular hydration through generous water consumption of water and undergoing regular medical examination to be sure of their liver’s  function status.

    The agency noted the liver’s important role in aiding digestion, detoxification and overall well-being of the human body.

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    “The liver filters toxins, supports digestion and plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health,” the agency stated.

    Over the last two years, the NOA has undertaken a series of health-focused initiatives, using education, community engagement and strategic partnership.

     Through its Community Orientation and Mobilisation Officers (COMOs), it has carried out health advocacy through engagement with various groups, including traders, transport workers, farmers, women, youths, civil society and faith-inclined organisations.

     These have been backed by integrated infectious diseases prevention campaigns targeting Lassa fever, cholera, and cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM).

     These campaigns have been backed by partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to disseminate accurate information and resources.

  • NOA; Bode Emanuel & Berkhout

    NOA; Bode Emanuel & Berkhout

    National Orientation Agency, NAO, strikes positively again with an accurate cartoon illustrating the deadly dangers of scooping fuel from fallen petrol tankers which could explode at any time burning and killing all those around them. Nigeria has lost to explosions, burns and injury and death, many thousands directly from tanker accidents and fuel scooping. The NOA cartoon was shown on TV and hopefully it was free to air as part of the media’s responsibility to educate the masses on this and many other masses’ life skills like ‘WEARING LIFE JACKETS’.

    NOA published its programmes in states in the newspaper-hopefully for free? NOA can also put the messages in cartoon STORY TELLING form on NOA posters and recruit corporate sponsors for funding. ’A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS AND SAVES A THOUSAND LIVES!’ Posters in every market and classroom.   

    We have lost too many Nigerians to violence over the last 20 years. Violence and health problems have truncated so many lives that Nigeria’s life expectancy has hovered in the late 50’s for decades. To gauge what Nigeria loses by such deaths, it is worth measuring such tragic losses against those who managed to survive all struggles and pass on at a ripe old age.

    I have personal knowledge of two ninth decade citizens who have recently passed from this life. First Chief Olabode Emanuel, 1935-2025, spelt with one ‘m’ not ‘mm’ has been described as an Admiral of industry, a Titan, an Iroko, a Trojan, ‘A White Charger’, a quiet but masterful businessman, an accountant par excellence, an astute guru, exemplary philanthropist, a benefactor to multiple charitable and Catholic Church Organisations and institutions et cetera.

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    A distinguished and proud descendant of returned Brazilian freed slaves who settled in Lagos in the mid-1800s, he held a high leadership post in the Catholic Friendly Society 3619.   Of note is that he was a very proud and practical Gregorian playing a keen leadership role in the survival and recovery of St Gregory’s College, Ikoyi Lagos, and in helping to elevate it to its current state. He played leading roles in social Clubs like Ikoyi Club, Island Club, Motor Boat Club, and Yoruba Tennis Club. The above is just a rough sketch of the life and times of Uncle Bode who led a very full life. He has certainly gone to a well-deserved rest. May he RIPP. Amen

    The second role model is Chief Joop Berkhout, 1930-2025 who was an outstanding personality who had more faith in Nigeria than most Nigerians. Of Dutch origins, he has for many years, since 1966 when he came to Nigeria as founding managing director of Evans Brothers Publishers, been  described as a Dutch-Nigerian and freelance Permanent Dutch roving Ambassador to Ibadan specifically and Nigeria in general.  He was a publishing doyen and publishing house builder starting Spectrum Books and later Safari Books where he elevated publishing to new heights in Ibadan at the University of Ibadan and around the country.

    He was an astute long-term functionary of the Ibadan Dining Club, established by Chief Simeon Adebo and a host of great historical names; he serving as long term secretary. He was an astute businessman and also a keen educationist as demonstrated in his achievement of an elevation in the quality and direction of publishing through his wide range of publications including novels, textbooks, journals, periodicals and later specialising in biographical and autobiographical works of many leading Nigerians and others.

    Berkhout was a promoter of youth activities through his association with NGOs including a 30-year relationship with Educare Trust as a distinguished member, regularly attending functions and channelling books to needy youth, a great entertainer opening his home to many local and international guests sharing incisive ideas and actions while relaxing and a firm believer in Nigerians and Project Nigeria even during the frequent bleak times. He cherished being honoured for his publishing achievements with his chieftaincy title from The Source, The Ooni of Ife, and wore the title with great pride. He had many close friends in Ibadan and across Nigeria notably Emeritus Prof Ayo Banjo who preceded him to glory. Another great Iroko has fallen in Ibadan and Nigeria. But he sowed a great many ‘learning and book’ Iroko seeds, which, thankfully, have germinated as a generation change on Nigerian soil in the publishing and education sectors and are set to become Irokos in their own right – an Iroko planter’s delight. It has been a pleasure and an honour to have interacted frequently with Chief Joop Berkhout during the last 50 years, first by hearsay and later as an aburo and sometimes as a doctor. May his books be read by the current generation in his honour. May he RIPP and may his family be comforted. Amen. Appreciation also to his doctor/PA/carers.

    The lives of Chief Olabode Emanuel and Chief Joop Berkhout are very good illustrations of success where others were not so successful. There are others like them and many others who, as mentioned earlier were not allowed to achieve revered old age. We must do everything possible to take the death factor out of early life so more Nigerians can live long fruitful lives. The ‘no scooping fuel’ , use of life jackets across the waterways, speed limits on roads, potable water, better education, accessible quality schooling for the 10+million Out Of School Children -OOSC, better toilet : population ratios are rights of being born.  

  • NOA gives officers 72 hours to learn reversed anthem

    NOA gives officers 72 hours to learn reversed anthem

    • Abia govt, Eno hail President for reversion

    The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has issued a 72-hour ultimatum to all its Community Orientation and Mobilisation Officers across the 774 local government areas to learn and perfect the reversed national anthem.

    The Nation had reported that President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, assented to the Bill that reverted Nigerians to the use of its former national anthem: Nigeria We Hail Thee.

    This directive, according to a statement by NOA, was issued by the agency’s Director General, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu.

    The statement by the agency’s Deputy Director of Press, Mr. Paul Odenyi, reads: “The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has issued a directive to all Community Orientation and Mobilisation Officers in the 774 local governments to commit the newly signed National Anthem to memory by Monday, June 3, 2024.

    “This directive, given by the Director General, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, is part of the agency’s efforts to ensure a seamless transition to the new National Anthem, which is part of the national identity project being pursued to promote national cohesion, unity and a sense of patriotism.

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    “The NOA is also working closely with the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) to ensure that schools across the country are mobilised to start using the current National Anthem.”

    Commenting on the directive, Issa-Onilu said: “We are excited to embark on this new chapter in our national history.

    “We believe that this new National Anthem will inspire a sense of pride and unity among Nigerians, and we are committed to ensuring that every citizen has access to it.”

    Also, Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno has hailed President Bola Tinubu for signing the Bill on the reversion to the old anthem into law.

    He said the old anthem reflects the nation’s aspiration and gives credence to the anthem of his state, which harps on unity, loyalty and dedication to service.

    Also, the Abia State government praised the President for assenting to the Bill that reverted to the old national anthem.

    Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Abuja, the Special Adviser on Disability Matters to the state government, Mr. David Anyaele, said: “I hate to sing ‘Arise O Compatriots.’ I don’t sing it. I thank President Tinubu for throwing it away.”

    Also, the President Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), Dr. Stephen Panya, has urged the Federal Government to retain the lyrics in the old national anthem for its symphony.

  • ‘Women must encourage each other for political success’

    Oyo state director, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mrs Dolapo Dosunmu has urged women to imbibe the habit of celebrating one another and support their female folks politically if the women must make any impact in politics.

    Dosunmu made this call on Monday at the Agodi, Secretariat of the Agency while receiving a letter of commendation and an award of excellence from the Oyo state chapter of National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ).

    The recognitions, according to the female journalists is to celebrate Dosunmu for the roles she played in sensitizing the people and mobilising voters towards a successful 2019 general elections in the state.

    Dosumu who is the first female director of the agency, said “it is quite unusual for women to publicly celebrate another woman, especially when such a person is doing or has done well in her chosen field.

    “I am humbled at the honour because I was only doing all I did because of the need to do what I was suppose to, not because of any recognition or award. So, this is a pleasant surprise.

    “Now that the elections are over, for NOA, we are in a sustainable communication with the people of Oyo state, and in Nigeria at large. The aspect of women participation in politics is what we want to talk about now.

    “We have been encouraging women that they should come out and see themselves as the potential that is capable of occupying a position of governance in Nigeria.

    “That campaign, I can assure you, will continue. We’re going to ensure that the confidence the women need, we will try and get it across to them, by way of dialogues and sensitization. It’s going to be a sustainable campaign.

    “I am very surprised and overwhelmed, but at the same time, I am grateful to NAWOJ as a whole in Oyo state especially the executives of the association. I am so grateful for this humble award given to me today.

    “The award of recognition is like an instrument of motivation to me, because when you’re doing something that you don’t even know you are doing, and somebody outside there is watching, to the point of being publicly recognised. It will only motivate me to be more dedicated.”

    The Oyo state director also said the next phase of work the agency is looking at is for people to be aware, what it is to be governed in a democratic setting.

    “What are the obligations, what are the duties, what are the responsibilities of citizens and also, to let the people in government know that, there is this responsibility for the people, to know what you are doing and to have a communication with them at all time.

    “The people need to know, that it’s not all about gratification, about personal demand, about doing something that is on a personal level.

    Earlier in her remarks, the chairperson of Oyo NAWOJ, Comrade Jadesola Ajibola commended Dosunmu for the passion with which she leads NOA.

    Ajibola said NAWOJ presented the award to the NOA boss because of her notable collaboration with the Independent National Electoral Commissions, in getting the people of Oyo duly sensitised before and during the general election.

  • 3 million votes voided in 2015 presidential election – NOA boss

    … Holds stakeholder’s meeting on 2019 general elections

     

    No fewer than 3 million votes were voided in the 2015 presidential election, Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA) of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), David Dogo revealed Wednesday.

    Dogo expressed worries and urged voters to try as much as possible to avoid such calamity in the forthcoming general elections.

    He said this in Abuja at a stakeholder’s meeting on the 2019 general elections organized by the NOA and the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).

    Civil and public servants were also present at the meeting.

    The NOA boss said government is working towards ensuring that the elections are peaceful and how voters can vote without errors, to avoid voided votes.

    He urged those who may not be satisfied with the election results to accept it in good fate or seek redress in the court of law.

    Dogo said: “In the FCT we consider the public servant very critical segment of the society. Nigerian is known as a country where you have extended families. So if you talk to the public servants you are guaranteed that you are talking to a large number of people.

    “And that is why we thought we should organize this programme and we do sincerely appreciate the fact that the FCT minister gave us the approval to talk to their civil servants so that they can go and talk to their families and communities and by that you would have succeeded in extending this sensitization to a large number of people.

    “The message is that we need this forthcoming elections to be peaceful. This is very important because peace is very important for us to be able to conduct an election so we need peace before, during and after the general elections. We are also talking about other technicalities that are involved in this elections. For example how to vote properly so that people do not waste their votes and again to talk about the issue of vote buying which has become very worrisome.

    “In the 2015 presidential election, we had about 3 million voided votes. Votes that were declared invalid and that is a very huge number. And so we think that in 2019 we either eliminate that or reduce it. That is why we are focusing on how to avoid voided votes.

    “Accept results of the elections in good fate. Or seek redress. We cannot because of elections allow this country to be divided.”

    FCT minister, Malam Musa Bello called for synergy from civil servants as the elections approaches adding that due process should be followed to achieve positive results.

    Bello caution civil and public servants to shun violence and avoid been used by politicians as tools to disrupt the elections.

    The minister who was represented by the Acting Secretary Social Development, Hajia Sefia Umaru said: “this type of interaction has never been accorded the civil servants. Unfortunately, the civil servants are the engine house, and the heartbeat of the nation. Before the political era there was the civil service. They are the foot soldiers. Politicians just came in along the line and meet us at the junction. They tried to overrun us and make us as tools.

    “So this programme is very critical to the civil servants, to educate them as to knowing who to vote and not to vote someone that will come and overrule the rules and regulations. We are the system. Civil servants should wake up and not be allowed to be used as tools. One on one touch is better. We need to reorganize ourselves on who to vote. We have the larger community with us. We must not be bought over by anybody.“

  • NOA urges Nigerians to vote credible leaders

    The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has urged Nigerians to vote good and God-fearing leaders in the forthcoming 2019 general elections in order to fast track the country’s development.

    The Director-General of NOA, Dr Garba Abari made the call in Kano at a one day sensitisation workshop with the theme “Educating the electorate on the importance of voting as civic duty”.

    The  Director General represented by the Deputy Director Admin and Human Resources, Mr Ernest Akhilele urged voters not to sell their votes and stay away from political violence.

    “In line with the mandate of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), our duty is to awaken the consciousness of Nigerians.

    “This programme is aimed at mobilising Nigerians on political issues and how to vote properly.

    “On electoral campaigns, we implore Nigerians to desist from spreading fake news particularly in the social media designed to tarnish the reputation of some political parties or candidates,” he said.

    He added that Nigerians should embrace free and fair election to have good governance.

    The NOA boss also advised the general public to shun anything that would lead to violence, snatching of ballot boxes and cancellation of result,  among others.

    He also called on all eligible voters to vote for the candidates and party of their choice, stressing that Nigeria is a country blessed with human resources.

    Earlier, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioner in Kano, Prof. Riskuwa Shehu advised voters to shun hate speech and all forms of political violence.

    Shehu assured that the commission was working round the clock to ensure free, fair and credible elections in 2019. (NAN)

  • FG, Partners working to tackle Noma in Nigeria

    The Federal Government says it is working with the World Health Organisation African Region (WHO Afro) and other partners on the best strategy to tackle Noma scourge in Nigeria.

    The Minister of State for Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, made this known at an event to commemorate the 2018 National Noma Day.
    Ehanire said elimination of Noma in Nigeria, and by extension the West African sub-region, is a task for all stakeholders.

    He added that ministry would involve the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), dental professionals and other healthcare providers in respect of surveillance, management and rehabilitation of the affected people.

    The minister said the ministry was also working with the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in respect of health promotion and awareness creation on Noma in the country.

    Ehanire said prevention and early detection of this devastating disease, like of many other disease conditions in Nigeria, were given high priority, to reduce incidence and improve the chances of those who contract.

    The minister noted that the second commemoration of the National Noma Day which was aimed at raising awareness of Noma in Nigeria was done in collaboration with Medicines Sans Frontiers and the World Health Organisation (WHO).

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    Noma, otherwise known as Cancrum Oris, is a fulminating, gangrenous infection of soft tissue around the mouth, predominantly affecting younger persons with poor oral hygiene and predisposing serious illness.

    “Epidemiological data on Noma is still scarce, but a current estimate of the global incidence is some 30,000 to 40,000 cases per year.

    “It has a mortality rate of approximately 85 per cent and a disease burden estimated to cost anywhere between one and 10 million disability-adjusted life years,’’ he said.

    Ehanire said Noma was a scourge of communities with poor environmental sanitation and hygiene practices, occurring as a result of a complex, not fully yet understood interaction between poor nutrition, infection and immunodeficiency.

    He added that common diseases like malaria, measles, severe diarrhoea and particularly, necrotising ulcerative gingivitis commonly precede the development of Noma.

    “In the acute stage, it can be managed relatively easily by administering antibiotics, which may prevent or limit the extent of gangrene.

    “Noma can be prevented by a combination of common measures like creating more national awareness of the disease, reducing poverty, improving hygiene, sanitation and nutrition,’’ he said.

    The representative of WHO Nigeria, Dr Clement Peter, said the Regional Noma Control Programme was re-launched in 2010 to support countries with Noma within the African region.

    He added that Hilfsaktion Noma e.V has been supporting the WHO Regional programme since 2013, adding Nigeria joined the regional programme in 2016, bringing the number of countries being supported to 10.

    He said the WHO’s strategy to fight against Noma is based on a 5-prong strategy, including prevention and early detection, immediate care, informing and educating the public.

    Others are epidemiological data collection and the creation of a referral centre for treating its after effects.
    He said WHO has been supporting the ministry in its fight against Noma in Nigeria.

    According to him, some of the support include the development of a triennial action plan for Noma, supported the maiden edition of the first No Noma day.

    Other supports are stakeholder meetings, supported the national training of trainers for healthcare workers/social actors and produced training manuals, and IEC materials to improve early diagnosis and management of Noma cases at primary healthcare level.

    Peter said integration of Noma activities into other key programmes such maternal and child health, vaccination, nutrition, Neglected Tropical Diseases within the Ministry of Health were also critical to controlling this scourge.

    NAN

  • HIV/AIDS: UNICEF task media on preventive advocacy

    The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called on media executives to scale up public enlightenment on the growing rate of HIV/AIDS among adolescents in Nigeria.

    Mr Rabiu Musa, the Communication Officer of UNICEF, Kaduna Field Office, made the call on Wednesday in Keffi at a meeting with some media executives in Keffi, Nasarawa State.

    Musa said the fund was alarmed with the high prevalent rate of HIV/AIDS among adolescents in Nigeria and underscored the need for journalists to raise public awareness towards combating the menace.

    He said UNICEF was partnering with the National Orientation Agency, State Governments, media, traditional rulers, religious leaders, healthcare experts and civil society organisations, among others, to enlighten youths on the dangers of the scourge.

    He said the collaboration was focused on the Prevention of Mother-To-Child Transmission (PMTCT) and HIV/AIDs in order to tackle the spread of the scourge in the country.

    According to him, the aimed of the meeting was to provide knowledge/orientation to media executives on PMTCT, AYP and HIV/AIDs situation so as to tackle the menace in the country.

    “The aim is also to review and document programme of the media and organisations in the state in supporting the dissemination of PMTCT, AYP/HIV and AIDS messages.

    “To leverage airtime and produce links for dissemination of PMTCT, AYP/HIV and AIDS messages. And also to develop media plans by the participating media houses for implementation,“ he said.

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    The official therefore enjoined the participants to appreciate the magnitude of and map out strategies on how to address the challenges on PMTCT, and Adolescent and Young Persons (AYP) in the society.

    Besides, Musa called on the media to upscale to educate the public on the dangers of the scourge considering its negative effect to societal development.

    He restated the commitment of UNICEF to continue to partner the state and other organisations in order to tackle the scourge in the country.

    “We want to work towards addressing HIV/AIDS in Nasarawa State as the state that is one of the growing states in terms of HIV/AIDs,” he said.

    Alhaji Galadima Soba, the Kaduna State Director of NOA, urged the participants to develop a good media plan for implementation and use of existing programmes for effective dissemination of PMTCT, AYP, HIV and AIDS messages worldwide.

    Soba, who was represented by the state’s Deputy Director, Human Resources and Finance, Malam Hamza Audu, called for more systematic and improved packaging of the various messages in more effective ways on awareness creation of PMTCT, AYP, HIV and AIDS.

    “I am optimistic that with the right attitude and inputs of the calibre of the participants here-present to develop a good media plan for implementation and use of existing programmes for effective dissemination of PMTCT, AYP, HIV and AIDS messages worldwide,” he said.

    The meeting will undertake an overview of HIV/AIDS prevalence in Nasarawa State, share experiences from Kaduna State and adopt action plans for increased enlightenment, among others.

    NAN.

  • NSIP begins training of N-Power Build beneficiaries in Adamawa

    The National Social Investments Programmes ( NSIP ) has started the training of 238 youths as beneficiaries of the programme in Adamawa.

    Mr Ahmad Abba, the State Director, National Orientation Agency ( NOA ), made this known at the commencement of the training in Yola on Tuesday.

    ‘‘Today, the National Social Investment Office ( NSIO ) has commenced training of 238 Youths for N-Power Build beneficiaries,” he said.

    Abba said that the beneficiaries would receive three months’ training in various skills at the attitude reorientation training centres in the state.

    He said that after graduation, the trainees would be sent for apprenticeship services programme for additional nine months.

    He stated that the N-Power Build programme was designed to empower non-graduate youths to be self-employed.

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    The director said the youths would receive training in three-core trade areas that include electrical installation, plumbing and pipe fitting, and wielding and fabrication.

    He said that the trainees were being handled in seven centres, which include Yola South and Michika, with two centres each.

    Others are Girei, Numan and Mayo-Belwa with one centre respectively.

    The Federal Government of Nigeria established NSIP in 2016 to tackle poverty and hunger across the country.

    The suite of programmes under the NSIP focuses on ensuring a more equitable distribution of resources to vulnerable populations, including children and youths.

    NAN

  • Social Investment: FG targets 1,000 households in Adamawa

    The Federal Government says it is targeting more than 1,000 Households under its Social Investment and Security Programme in Adamawa.

    Mr Ahmad Abba, the State Director, National Orientation Agency ( NOA ), made this known in an interview with our reporter in Yola on Wednesday.

    Abba said that the programme was designed to improve the living conditions of vulnerable families in the country.

    He explained that under the programme, each vulnerable household selected would receive free unconditional grant of N5, 000 monthly for the duration of three years.

    “In Adamawa, the pilot project of unconditional cash transfer has been piloted in Six Local Government Areas of the state.

    “In two areas of each Senatorial Zone,  fifty households were carefully selected as beneficiaries,’’ Abba said.

    He disclosed that the programme was going on smoothly and the core target of the project was vulnerable families, especially widows.

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    Abba listed the benefitting local government areas as Madagali, Michika, Song, and Girei from Northern and Central Senatorial districts.

    The director listed others to include Numan and Lamurde from Southern Senatorial zone.

    He confirmed that very soon, the project would commence in the remaining 15 local government areas.

    Similarly, he said that government would soon begin the award of scholarship to more than 100,000 students nationwide.

    The programme according to the director is designed to support Science and Mathematics students across the country.

    According to him, the amount to be offered and time to state registration of the students will be announced soon.

    NAN