The Nation Newspaper

Tag: NOA

  • 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.

    Read Also: Rejected child migrants face worse situation on return – UNICEF

    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.

  • NIMC registers 1.7 m in Kaduna

    The National Identity Management Commission ( NIMC ) has so far registered 1.7 million people in Kaduna State, the commission’s coordinator in the state, Abubakar Hassan, has said.

    Hassan who made this known in an interview our reporter on Friday in Kaduna said the figure was however far below the eight million residents eligible for registration.

    According to him, the commission has 62 enrollment centres across the state for the registration of all residents for the issuance of the National Identity Number (NIN).

    The coordinator attributed the low figure to poor turnout of eligible residents for the registration.

    He however disclosed that the commission had partnered the National orientation Agency (NOA) to sensitize the public on the importance of obtaining the National Identification Number, as part of measures to address the problem of low turnout.

    Read Also: NIMC Sokoto Govt. to enlighten indigenes on NIN

    ” With the recent collaboration we have with NOA in sensitizing people on the importance of enrolling into the National Identity Management System, we hope to see an increased turnout of people in our enrollment centres.

    “More centres are coming to ensure that all citizens and legal residents are registered,” he stated.

    Hassan who explained that the NIN was mandatory for all citizens and legal residents of the country, and implored those who have not registered to do so as soon as possible.

    He added that the slip given to those who were enrolled contains an Identification number which would enable the user to make any legal transaction.

  • NOA and social engineering

    Sir: Nigeria, the most populous black African nation is said to command the best policy-makers in the continent, although it comes miserably short when it comes to implementation.

    The Directorate for Mass Mobilization, Self-Reliance and Economic Recovery (MAMSER) and the National Directorate for Employment (NDE), were among the few national institutions established in 1986. The former was led by an erudite scholar and university don, Professor Jerry Gana.

    Within few months of establishment, Gana deployed his intellectual energy, integrity and commitment to spread the message of MAMSER to the public and private sectors, as indeed to the doorsteps of every Nigerian.  He ably galvanized talented personnel, Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs), print and electrical media to sensitize Nigerians on the rationale behind the establishment of MAMSER.

    It was recognized at every occasion as its impact was felt across the length and breadth of the nation. It sought to re-direct the conscience of the populace, working and non-working classes, towards building an egalitarian society and laid ethical foundation for future generations to tread on. MAMSER was replaced in 1993 by the National Orientation Agency (NOA). The agency was later merged with the Public Enlightenment Department and the Orientation Units of the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture.

    NOA’s establishment Decree 100 was changed to an “Act’ cap 64 by the National Assembly in tandem with the laws of the federation as amended. By this Act, the nation’s chief mobilization umpire was expected to uphold and execute its enlarged duty of social mobilisation in the country. Based on its current structure, the agency has indigenous personnel and equipped offices in the 774 local governments in the country.

    Today, one is appalled by the agency’s inactions over some mind-boggling anti-social vices that have become household practices in different human strata. Criminal offences have risen to supersonic level; mere thievery has since metamorphosed into kidnapping of innocent people. These inactions of NOA reflect in our poor work-ethics, farmers/herders crises and the trends of intolerance creeping negatively into the psyche of Nigerians regardless of class or status. We feel perturbed and intimidated by the ongoing bloodletting and deaths in Benue, Borno, Taraba and Zamfara states. This killing and kidnapping bouts, with its apparent permanency status all over the country, has sent many young aspirants that could enhance our nascent democratic practices to their graves.

    Given the presence of her personnel at the creeks and hinterlands of the country, NOA is of course best placed to lead in political education, to help foster social justice, environmental renewal and national re-orientation. It bears the primary responsibility to faithfully digest and translate government policies to the citizenry while also ensuring that government receives the necessary feedback.

    For instance, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, will by August 17, end the on-going registration and renewal of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) in the country. INEC would however resume the exercise after the general elections scheduled for early next year, 2019. At the moment, INEC is in custody of millions of PVCs uncollected by their owners across the states. This is aside the millions yet register for the exercise.

    This should not be the case. That being the case, the agency bears the moral responsibility for the potential mass disenfranchisement from its inadequate sensitization and awareness programmes. Most itching and aching has been the agency’s non-innovative stance on matters that demand priority attention nationwide.

     

    • Haliru Sarki Kende, Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State.

  • NOA to partner agency on awareness campaign

    In furtherance of its efforts to drive government’s developmental awareness programmes, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) is set to forge a partnership with the pioneer social impact advertising platform, KekeAds. The collaboration which would be woven around the ongoing change mantra of the Federal Government will sensitize Nigerians both at home and in the diaspora on the imperative of supporting  the government’s current developmental initiatives across various sectors.

    In an endorsement letter signed by Mrs. Ruth Ogun, NOA director for Programme, Enlightenment and Mass Mobilisation on behalf of the Director-General and addressed to Mr. Esona Onuoha, founder of KekeAds and Managing Director of Smate& Smate International franchise, owner of KekeAds nationwide, the DG stated that, ” We have noted your request for partnership on using your platform as a strategic means of mobilising, sensitizing and orientating the populace.”

    NOA added that “the Agency has observed that this initiative is laudable and we wish to explore the possibility of partnership with your organization. Consequently we will be getting in touch with you for further discussion at the appropriate time.” Onuoha, thanked the D-G of NOA for endorsement saying “as a truly homegrown and proudly Nigerian brand we are ready and willing to help drive  the government’s positive developmental initiatives using our KekeAds mobile media platform.”

  • NOA to clerics: refrain from provocative sermons

    The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has advised clerics to refrain from provocative sermons during the ongoing Ramadan.

    Its Director of Mobilisation in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, Mrs Comfort Ajiboye, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)  in Omu-Aran yesterday.

    Ajibade described the clerics as representatives of God on earth, saying they ought to “strive to be shining examples in both in words and deeds.’’

    She reminded the clerics that religious teachings during the Ramadan should be targeted at promoting national development.

    According to her, teachings should also be targeted at ensuring cordial and harmonious relationship among the people.

    “We should be united rather than be divided in our quest to achieve a developed statehood. Anything contrary will jeopardise the government’s efforts toward ensuring even distribution of the dividends of democracy to Nigerians,” she said.

    Ajibade called on Muslims to reflect on the significance of the period and pray for peace, unity and progress.

    “With ceaseless and fervent prayers during this month of Ramadan, by God’s grace, our security and socio-economic challenges will be over,” she said

    The NOA boss urged Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of   tolerance and peaceful co-existence to ensure the sustenance of the nation’s democratic system.

    Ajibade also appealed to traders, especially food stuff vendors, not to latch on the Ramadan period by increasing the prices of their commodities.

  • 2019: PERL engages Borno Stakeholders on electoral processes

    The Partnership to Engage, Reform and Learn (PERL), a DFID funded program in Nigeria has engaged stakeholders in Borno State to discuss the electoral processes ahead of the 2019 general elections in the country.

    The meeting which was held at Barwee Luxury Suites in Maiduguri had in attendance representatives of the media, Civil Society Organization, National Orientation Agency (NOA), State House of Assembly, religious and faith based organization, private sector, service delivery partners among others.

    The co-chair of the meeting Prof. Danjuma Gambo at the plenary together with the participants brainstormed on issues arising from the conduct of elections both before during and after the process in the state.

    The sessions tried to asked questions which have direct impact on the electoral process and the role of the various stakeholders in affecting the process.

    Some of the important questions raised include; how are the constituencies currently engaging the electoral process?, how well are they working together and to what degree are they influential in the electoral process?

    Other issues also discussed included the possible electoral and post electoral outcomes in the state, which of the outcomes are most likely to occur, what are the possible opportunities in terms of issues, actors and platforms that patterns can engage pre and post elections and what are the potential risks and dangers and how they could be mitigated in the state.

    The co-chair, Prof. Danjuma Gambo at the end of the deliberation submitted that all stakeholders need to work hard in the state on the electoral process especially the pre-election time so as to mitigate the potential dangers ahead of the election.

    “Going by the discussions that we have head hear, there is more work to be done concerning citizens engagement in the electoral process in Borno State. It is therefore very important that all stakeholders in this hall must agree to step of their game for a more constructive engagement of the citizen on electoral processes in the state especially the pre-election time so that the expected outcomes will be favorable to all”, Prof Gambo said.

    The Northeast Regional Team Leader for PERL/ECP Mrs Elizabeth Sara observed that citizen must be educated to de-emphasis on making personal demands from politicians but rather demand for community development for the welfare of the generality of everyone.

    “We must try to stop this trend of people going to politicians to make personal requests such as assistance for naming ceremony, assistance to marry. In order to drive development, person should approach politicians with community issues that affects everyone in that community so that such development if carried out will change the lives of the entire people in the community instead of one individual”, Mrs Sara observed.

    Ms Ase Taide, the Northeast partnership facilitator for PERL while explaining the objectives of the meeting said, “the timing is very important and we cannot wait until election time to engage citizens on their right”.

    The Borno State Director of National Orientation Agency Yaya Imam informed that his agency been carrying out sensitization campaign across the state by engaging with relevant stakeholders like INEC, Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), the media etc.

    He called on all stakeholders especially the CSOs to sit up to their responsibility of sensitizing the people in order to have a free and fair election come 2019.

    NAN

     

  • PDP, CAN, knock Fed Govt as NOA cautions

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has knocked the Presidency and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) over last week’s abduction of 110 female students.

    A statement by National Publicity Secretary Kola Ologbondiyan accused the Presidency and the APC of shedding crocodile tears in the abduction saga.

    “We challenge the Presidency to come out clean on issues surrounding this abduction. Who authorised the said withdrawal of troops from the area and for what purpose?

    “What alternative security measures were put in place to protect the people after the troops were withdrawn? Who controls security intelligence gathering and consequential protection action and what action was taken to guarantee adequate security in the area?

    “Furthermore, we charge the Federal Government to open up on who scripted and released the false rescue report, which frustrated prompt action that would have led to the recovery of our innocent girls? Why was that misleading report issued and whose interest did it serve?

    “Indeed, from all indications, every right thinking Nigerian has deduced that there are more than meets the eye in this ugly episode for which those in authority have a lot of questions to answer.

    The opposition party said it’s appalled by “crocodile tears” being shed by the APC-led Federal Government instead of scaling up actions on the matter.

    The Northern States chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) expressed sadness over the abduction of the school girls .

    Spokesman of the 19th Northern States CAN, Rev. John Joseph Hayab told reporters in Kaduna that the Christian body is deeply concerned about the “return of kidnapping of large number of girls again in Nigeria.”

    Director General, National Orientation Agency (NOA) Dr. Garba Abari however cautioned Nigerians against making unnecessary speculations over the Dapchi abduction.

    A statement by Head, Press Unit NOA Paul Odenyi said:  “The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has noted the unfortunate incident at the Government Girls Science Secondary School, Dapchi in Yobe State and wishes to empathize with the parents of the missing children and Nigerians at large. The Agency at this time would like to caution against unnecessary speculation over the depressing incident saying at moments like these Nigerians should step up their vigilance, stand in prayers and cooperate with security agencies.

    “Director General of the Agency, Dr. Garba Abari stated that President Muhammadu Buhari has already dispatched high powered government officials, including four ministers, to the area to ascertain the true state of affairs and report back to him.”

  • Kafanchan residents urge INEC to increase awareness campaign

    Kafanchan residents urge INEC to increase awareness campaign

    As registration of prospective voters by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) progresses in Southern Kaduna, some stakeholders in Kafanchan have suggested that more awareness campaigns should be done for larger turn out.

    The  correspondent, who visited INEC offices in some local government areas, reported that while the turnout was low in some centres, it was relatively high in others.

    Mr Jerry Yakubu, a resident of Kafanchan in Jema’a Local Government area, who lost his voter card and was at the INEC office in Kafanchan for a new one, lamented about the poor turn out for the exercise.

    Yakubu called for adequate sensitisation of the people about the importance of the exercise in order not to disenfranchise some eligible voters.

    “With the importance attached to obtaining voter cards, much is desired in terms of publicity to record impressive turnout,’’ he said.

    Mr Joseph Akpan, a resident of Kaura in Kaura Local Government area, advised residents to bear with the slow registration process.

    Akpan spoke about the importance of voter cards, describing it was a tool to contribute to good governance.

    Mrs Amina Nasiru of Samaru in Zangon Kataf Local Government area, attributed the low turn out to the economic downturn in the country.

    Nasiru said that people were more concerned with meeting personal and family demands.

    “The government needs to do more, especially at the grassroots on the need for people to exercise their franchise, ‘’ she said.

    An Ad hoc staff of INEC in Kafanchan, who preferred anonymity, told Reporter that with additional manpower, more sensitisation would be done.

    The official said that INEC was well aware of its responsibility and was collaborating with relevant agencies like the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to achieve its objectives.

    NAN

  • Kebbi records 16 deaths from 140 destroyed houses

    Kebbi records 16 deaths from 140 destroyed houses

    The Kebbi State Emergency Management Agency ( SEMA ) says it recorded 16 deaths from 140 destroyed residential houses in 2017.

    The Executive Director of the agency, Alhaji Abbas Kamba, made this known in an interview in Birnin Kebbi on Thursday.

    Kamba said the data on the loss of houses was obtained from the state Fire Service Department, stressing that fire incidents also resulted in the loss of property worth billions of Naira during the period under review.

    He said the agency also recorded incidents of destructive windstorm at Maiyama, Gwandu, Aliero and Birnin Kebbi Local Government Areas where 90 per cent of the residential houses were destroyed while many people were injured.

    Kamba revealed that many lives and properties were lost on daily basis due to road crashes in the state.

    “In 2017, record shows that 46 crashes involving 41 commercial and 25 private vehicles led to the death of 55 people and 216 people injured during the period,” he said.

    Read also: Six filling stations shut in Sokoto, Kebbi

    According to him, flood also destroyed many residential properties in Birnin Kebbi, Jega, Aliero, Bagudo and Dandi Local Government Areas of the state.

    “Canoe and boat accidents along Dole Kaina and Yauri waterways also led to loss of lives and property in 2017,” Kamba said.

    He said the agency collaborated with the National Orientation Agency ( NOA ) to sensitise residents on how to handle inflammable materials during harmatan period across the state in order to reduce fire incidents.

    “We organised sensitisation workshop involving road managers and road users to reduce road crashes; we developed strategies on migrants and migration issues in the state; trained grass root emergency volunteer groups and traditional rulers on emergency issues, among other measures,” he said.

    The executive director said the agency would map out proactive strategies in 2018 to reduce loss of property and lives through disasters.

    NAN

  • CAPP, NOA lead campaign for peaceful council election

    A non-governmental organisation, Community Action for Popular Participation (CAPP), in collaboration with National Orientation Agency (NOA), has unveiled strategies towards a peaceful local government election in Plateau State.

    The strategies were revealed during a capacity building workshop organised for staff of NOA held at Nana Country Home Hotel, Tudun Wada, Jos.

    Plateau State government has said it will conduct election into the 17 local governments in the state in February 2018.

    In his opening remarks at the training workshop, Programme Manager of CAPP, Nelson Amanze, said, “The theme of the workshop, ‘Strategic action plan on 2018 Local Government Election in Plateau State’, was aimed at preparing the staff of NOA towards meeting the challenges of the proposed council election in a manner to ensure credible elections.”

    According to Amanze, “The training of staff of NOA is part of efforts of CAPP towards strengthening citizens’ engagement in electoral processes in Nigeria, particularly in Plateau State.

    “To us in CAPP, local government’s election is the most important of all categories of elections in the country for the fact that it is the election that stimulates democratic process at the grassroots that involve active participation of the rural populace.

    “And when we talk of active participation, there are segments of the society that are often left out in the electoral processes; that is the women, youths and people with disability. We are targeting such groups of people through public awareness campaign for them to be given more opportunities in the electoral processes.”

     

    In his welcome remarks, Plateau State Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Bulus Dabit, said, “NOA in Plateau State has entered into partnership with CAPP because we have seen they have genuine programmes of public awareness and civic education on government policies and programmes.”

    Dabis explained that “any government policy or programme that does not enjoy public acceptance is bound to fail, and since the target of CAPP is to mobilise the general public to participate in local government election in the state, it is another way of creating public acceptability of government programmes.

    “That is why NOA in the state has adopted the Citizens Engagement in Electoral Processes (CEEP) initiated by CAPP. In this training workshop, staff of NOA from all the 17 local governments of the state are participating. The training will help build the capacity of our staff and equip them with relevant skills for them to carry out the civic education activities in their respective local governments. All we are out to achieve in this campaign is to ensure a peaceful local government election in the state.”