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Tag: NOA

  • NOA DG challenged on national gender policy implementation

    NOA DG challenged on national gender policy implementation

    A Civil Society Organisation, Accountability Lab Nigeria has challenged the new Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Lanre Issa-Onilu, on gender equality in workspace and every other human endeavour.
    The organisation, dedicated to promoting gender equality and women empowerment, noted that this would afford women a leveled playing field.
    The organisation said this in a statement after the Programs and Learning Manager, Ehi Idakwo led a delegation to a meeting with the NOA director-general.
    During the meeting, Accountability Lab Nigeria stressed the critical importance of NOA’s commitment to implementing the National Gender Policy in Nigeria.
    It further listed key areas such as gender mainstreaming, gender-responsive budgeting, and affirmative action for women for the new DG to focus on.
    The organisation outlined innovative strategies to dismantle the barriers that have hindered women from realising their full potential.
    Issa-Onilu explained the agency’s priority areas and expressed a strong willingness to collaborate closely with Accountability Lab Nigeria.

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    He announced the commitment of NOA to work hand in hand to drive the necessary changes required to break down the obstacles that have impeded women’s progress in the country.

    Accountability Lab said the meeting marks the first step in a series of engagements with various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) aimed at implementing the National Gender Policy comprehensively.

    Furthermore, the CSO expressed steadfastness and dedication to fostering gender equality, encouraging affirmative actions, and creating an environment where every woman can thrive and contribute meaningfully to society.

    “This initiative is supported by the Canadian Fund for Local Initiatives, underlining the international commitment to promoting gender equality and empowering women globally.

    “Accountability Lab Nigeria continues to pave the way for a more inclusive and equitable future, where every individual, regardless of gender, has the opportunity to thrive and make meaningful contributions to society,” the statement added.

  • ‘We need deliberate re-engineering viable Nigeria, says NOA boss

    ‘We need deliberate re-engineering viable Nigeria, says NOA boss

    The Director General of the National Orientation Agency, NOA, Dr. Garba Abari,  has called for a deliberate re-engineering of the federal system to produce a viable Nigeria.

    Abari stressed that lack of commitment to promote inter-ethnic relations is the major bane of the country’s unity.

     The DG  spoke at the official inauguration of the ” rebuildNigeria360″ movement, FCT- Abuja Unity Chapter.

    The NOA boss who was represented by Mr. Kehinde Okunade, Director, Human Resources Management said, “Lack of national consciousness for a nation like Nigeria may not be the main problem but a lack of commitment by citizens to promote deep inter-ethnic relations may be our main challenge. State building in the form of instruction-strengthening is rather important for unity in a plural society.

    “Therefore, we posit that institutions strengthening and deliberate efforts to re-engineer that federal system to produce a viable Nigeria capable of delivering on public goods and good governance is more important in our collective effort to address the many challenges confronting our nation.

    “The importance of nation-building cannot be overemphasised as it creates room for peaceful co-existence, common use of resources and unity against external aggression for mutual benefits, for future generations and also growth and development.

    “It goes without saying that while leadership is important, the nation-building we desire as a country can only be achieved by the collective efforts of all citizens.”

    Read Also: Effective whistleblower policy will make Nigeria work, says NOA

    Speaking earlier, Jeffrey Abidoye, Global President and Chief Executive Officer of RebuildNigeria360 movement called for rebranding of the country.

    Abidoye also suggested that Nigeria can follow the part of India who recently changed its name.

    He said the movement has a target of 30 years to rebrand Nigeria in partnership with NOA.

    He said that the goal is to “rebuild and rebirth a Brand New Nigeria Nation that will incontrovertibly become the most sought after country in the world come 2050.

    He said the movement has identified some measurable critical projects and programmes to be executed to achieve the new Nigeria envisage.

    He said the programmes include food security, empowerment of women, care for the aged amongst others.

  • NOA director calls for attitudinal change

    The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has called for attitudinal change in all spheres of life so that the nation could witness rapid development.

    Its Oyo State Director, Mrs Dolapo Dosunmu, made the call on Tuesday in Ibadan at  the agency’s 2019 National Prayer and Ramadan lecture with the theme ”Attitudinal Change as a Catalyst for National Development.’’

    She urged Nigerians to shun attitudes that were inimical to the development of the nation.

    She said: “Nigerians should strive to rectify their wrong doings in order to build a value-stable society. Also Nigeria requires divine intervention to tide over its various challenges, particularly the rising spate of insecurity, economic downturn and the prevalent value-debasement.

    ”These have combined to frustrate our collective dreams of building a progressive nation where peace and justice reign.

    ”Our country is blessed with vast arable land and human resources in diversified areas but without the fear of God and walking in His glorious path, every effort channelled toward nation building will end in futility.

    ”To surmount our setbacks and move forward as a nation, we first have to seek God’s direction and humbly crave His guidance, that is the essence of this national prayer,” she stated.

    The guest lecturer, Alhaji Mohammed Alaka, identified supremacy of religion as the major attitude impeding the nation’s development.

    According to Alaka, both Christians and Muslims are claiming supremacy of their respective religions.

    ”Our criteria for choosing a ruler must never be based on religion, we need to change our attitude to achieve sustainable development,” he said.

    He further urged government to allow justice and equality to reign, saying any society that lacked the two would not be free of criminal activities.

  • Drug abuse major driver of sins among youths, says NOA Director

    Mr Bulus Dabit, Director, Plateau office of the National Orientation Agency(NOA), has identified drug and substances abuse as the major driver of sins among youths in the society.

    The Director stated this in Jos, during the Sunday Service of Nazareth Baptist Church.

    “Drug and substance abuse propels the sinful nature of man to perpetrate all manners of evil, including economic and social crimes.

    “Such social crimes have continued to undermine the peace, progress and development of the country,” he said, adding that the Church had a major responsibility to address the menace through its messages and other fellowship programmes.

    “The Church must re-strategise its messages to tackle the menace of drugs and substance abuse and its negative impact on the socio-economic and political life of Nigeria and Nigerians.

    “When society is free from drug and substance abuse, Church members will become more productive and accountable. They will become assets to the society,” he said.

    Read also: Drug abuse teenager not our student – Caleb School

    Dabit urged youths to desist from acts that could endanger their future, and commended them for organising enlightenment programmes aimed at making them assets to the society.

    “I commend the youths in Tudun-Wada and Angwan-Rukuba communities for organising programmes to fight drug abuse. I want their colleagues in other communities to do same,” he said.

    In her remarks, Prof. Jane Ande, wife of the Pastor, urged victims of drug abuse to submit themselves for counseling so as to avoid its devastating consequences. (NAN)

  • NOA trains stakeholders on post-election crisis

    The Director-General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Dr. Garba Abari, has urged the electorate to brace up for post-election crisis. He described post-election complaint as normal.

    Abari, who was represented by his Special Assistant, David Akoji, spoke at a workshop for stakeholders on civic and voter education.

    The training, which was jointly organised by NOA and Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA), would change the narrative on election process, Abari noted.

    He explained that elections come with challenges which the citizens must prepare for, stressing that citizens believe that after voting the process had ended.

    The DG added that peace-building and ensuring elected leaders live up to promises have become a burden for the citizens. According to him, if the citizens shut their eyes to post-election challenges, democracy would suffer.

    He said: “If you have voted someone, you have the moral responsibility to constantly see to it that the person delivers on the campaign promises. This will help to speed up development in the country.

    “That is the reason we are moving across the zones to enlighten the citizens of what comes after elections. To educate them on likely challenges that will come up because democracy does not end with voting, it includes preparing for the aftermath of the election and peace building.”

    Lagos NOA Director Waheed Ishola said the workshop would re-awaken the people to what is expected of them.

    According to him, NOA would continue to discharge its duties by ensuring that election process and development of the country remain in the front burner.

    He said: “We will not relent in our duties; these are the essence of the workshop, and I am very confident that participants will leave the training better…”

     

     

  • 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.“

  • Make child protection a priority, UNICEF tells parents, guardians

    The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), has advised parents and guardians against violating the rights of children in the interest of peace and national development.

    Dr Zakari Adam, the Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Kaduna, gave the advice on Friday in Keffi, Nasarawa State in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria.

    Adam, who spoke to NAN at the end of the three-day capacity building for 30 participants (UNICEF partners) on Result- Based Management (RBM), said that parents and government must also prioritise children protection.

    The training was organised by UNICEF in collaboration with the National Orientation of Agency (NOA) in Niger state and partners from Nasarawa.

    He said:”Parents and government at all levels should protect the rights of the children and citizens for societal development.

    “The rights are their entitlements. Children are human beings and they are also entitled to these rights and they have to enjoy their rights.

    “We should protect, respect and promote the rights of children in order to improve on their health and their standard of living.

    “UNICEF is doing its best to ensure that a child or children enjoy their rights.

    According to him, the aim of UNICEF is to achieve positive result for women and children through access to health facilities, good nutrition, education and other relevant social services required for their development.

    He said that the aim of the training was to equip participants with skills to enable them achieve results places of their primary assignment in tackling the plight of women and children.

    “The aim of the training is also to equip the participants with skills on how to apply result-based management into planning and reporting the programme implementation.

    “It is all about the fact that what we should report should be result-focused.“

    Read Also: 2019: Buhari’s veto sparks battle of strength in Senate

    “We are here working together for years now, particularly to ensure that our partners working in various ministries, related to children rights, are trained and their capacities raised in terms of human rights based approach programming,” he said.

    Adam said that UNICEF was also committed toward addressing challenges facing women and children in Nigeria to improve their health status and standard of living, hence the need for the training.

    He urged parents to ensure that children were protected and not put under unnecessary violence, stressing that children were sent to school rather than being out of school.

    NAN reports that participants from Nasarawa and Niger, drawn from different ministries in the two states, attended the training. which also include Mr Rabiu Musa, Communication Officer of UNICEF, Kaduna.

  • NOA urges public, private partnership

    National Orientation Agency (NOA) Director General (DG) Dr. Garba Abari has called for collaboration between government and private sector to make the country better.

    He spoke yesterday at the NOA/Private Sector Roundtable: Exploring opportunities in Lagos.

    He said making the country better and great depend on the collaboration between public and private sectors.

    Abari added that insecurity, violence and kidnapping had eroded the values of the country, noting that the task of correcting the situation should not be left for government alone.

    He said NOA would remain in the forefront of championing growth, stressing that the country must define its core values.

    “You will agree with me the Nigerian nation is in dire need of peace, security, positive values and national integration without which no business can thrive. Government is committed to earning the confidence of the citizens to promote societal values.

    “We are here at a defining moment in our national history and all patriots must rise to the occasions. Our nation is behest by mind-boggling erosion of values. The level of decline leaves unwholesome impression of a nation literarily decaying.”

    The NOA DG said the partnership would explore socio-political and business opportunities, noting that the situation demands that Nigerians, irrespective of tribe, religion and culture, must rise to the occasion.

    He said the ability of societies to surmount challenges depends on the engagement of critical tools for harnessing its potentials and the collective will of the people.

  • FIDA, NOA seek end to killings in Plateau

    As Nigeria celebrated its Independence Day yesterday, the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) have called for an end to the killings in Plateau State.

    In separate interviews yesterday with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jos, the state capital, the organisations expressed optimism that mutual respect would foster unity and forestall further killings in Plateau State and other parts of the country.

    FIDA’s Chairperson in Plateau State Mrs Mary Izam said Nigeria at 58 was worth celebrating but could further progress if Nigerians learnt to live in peace and harmony.

    She said: “Nigerians should refuse using religious and ethnic diversity to destabilise the nation. We want a new Nigeria where improving the quality of lives of the people is our major priority.

    “We condemn the killings of innocent lives in the recent attacks in Plateau and other parts of the country, as every life is sacred and valuable in this country.”

    The FIDA official also praised the security agencies for their tireless efforts in this critical period of the country.

    She called for more synergy between them and community leaders in addressing security matters.

    Izam also urged President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure the release of Leah Sharibu, the only girl still in captivity out of the 110 Dapchi schoolgirls abducted in February.

    The FIDA chairperson said she has a right to liberty as a Nigerian citizen.

    Also, the NOA director in Plateau State, Mr Bulus Dabit, said the drivers of crisis in the stae and other parts of the country were not religious people but persons with criminal intents.

    He said: “It is unfortunate how these miscreants easily mobilise the religiously inclined and responsible citizens to perpetrate their agenda in order to undermine our collective security.”

  • Independence Day: NOA urges Nigerians on nationalism

    The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has called on Nigerians to revive the spirit of nationalism that characterised the struggle for independence as the only path to sustainable national development.

    Dr Garba Abari, the Director-General of NOA in a statement on Monday in Abuja said the nation’s founding fathers put the national interest ahead of personal and sectional interests.

    Abari described such disposition as a precursor to true national development.

    “The desired greater Nigeria will be achieved if Nigerians embrace themselves as brothers and comrades and work toward the common good, eschewing rancour and unhealthy rivalry.

    “The shortage of patriotic zeal among Nigerians today has resulted in the expansion of the nation’s fault lines manifesting as various forms of violence and intolerance.

    “I urged Nigerians to recommit themselves to imbibing the national core values of self-reliance, patriotism, religious tolerance, dignity of labour, discipline, integrity and social justice as enshrined in Chapter Two of the 1999 Constitution,” he said.

    The NOA boss congratulated Nigerians on the Independence Anniversary, saying the true meaning of independence would manifest when the nation reflects the aspiration of its citizens. (NAN)