The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has urged Nigerians to embrace values that promote the unity and integrity of the country and always show respect towards the national symbols.
By Mohammed Baba Busu
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has urged Nigerians to embrace values that promote the unity and integrity of the country and always show respect towards the national symbols.
The Director-General, NOA, Mr Lanre Isa-Onilu, made the call during a stakeholders engagement on National Values Charter (NVC) on Thursday in Minna.
The NOA D-G, represented by Mr Simon Idoko, Deputy Director, Health and Social Care, said the national values charter was a social bond between the Nigeria and its citizens.
He said that the engagement was to sensitise raise Nigerians’ awareness on the national value charter and national anthem, two critical components of our national identity.
“Over the years, successive administrations in Nigeria have made efforts to fashion out a national identity by which the Nigerian nation state and its citizens can be identified.
“These efforts have been in the form of one value reorientation campaign or the other such as Nigeria Good People; Great Nation; Do the Right Thing; Change Begins with Me and other such efforts.
“Although praiseworthy, these efforts did not yield desired results. This is partly because Nigerians have defined themselves along the lines of tribe, religion, ethnicity etc.
“These have created division rather than unity and consequently limited our progress as a nation,” Isa-Onilu said.
He said that the national identity project being promoted by NOA was a means of redirecting all Nigerians irrespective of social class, religion.
“Values are universally recognised as beliefs and ideologies that guides an individual or a nation towards the attainment of desired goals,” the D-G said.
According to him, without the right values, no nation can move forward, adding that time and people may change, but the universal values of love, integrity, respect, remain constant.
“It is time we returned to the real Nigerian values. This is why this stakeholders engagement is crucial and timely.
“We must promote a culture of national pride and patriotism by both those who govern us and those who are governed,” he said.
Speaking about the charter, he said it has two components, namely, the Nigerian promise and the citizen codes.
“The Nigerian promise has seven components, same for the citizen codes. It is imaginatively christened
“The Nigerian promise is the agreement that the Nigerian government at all levels and irrespective of political party affiliation makes to fulfil to the citizens.
“These include seven core commitments to deliver on equality, democracy, entrepreneurship and employment, peace and security, inclusivity, freedom and justice and meritocracy,” Isa-Onilu, said.
The D-G said the citizen code represents the seven core fundamental values and obligations expected of citizens everywhere.
“These include discipline, care, tolerance and respect, leadership, transparency, environmental awareness and resilience. As we interact daily among ourselves, we are to live by these codes.
“We must respect our national symbols which includes the national anthem, our national currency, the flag, coat of arms etc. because they connect us and foster a sense of unity and national pride,” he said.
He said if governments delivered on the seven core commitments and citizens fulfilled their own part, Nigeria would be on the path to lasting peace, security and prosperity.
Isa-Onilu, urged Nigerians to be united and not to give up on Nigeria.
“Let us have faith in the bold and audacious reforms being implemented by this administration as we shall soon begin to reap the fruits of our present sacrifices,” he said.
Isa-Onilu also urged stakeholders to integrate the principles of the national values charter into organisational culture and imbibe the spirit behind the letters of the national anthem.
The Director, NOA, Niger, Malam Yahaya Gbongbo, said the campaign aimed at reinvigorating the spirit of unity, patriotism, and national pride among Nigerians.
“We must build Nigerians to build Nigeria. It is through concerted sensitisation and reorientation efforts that we can renew our national commitment’’, he said. (NAN)
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