The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has announced its intention to establish 37,000 Citizen Brigades across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Nigeria. This initiative aims to promote moral values and positive citizenship among Nigerians.
Mr. Lanre Issa-Onilu, the Director General of NOA, revealed this plan during a visit to the agency’s state directorate in Niger State, Minna. He explained that the first phase of the initiative will involve the launch of 1,000 Citizen Brigades in primary schools, focusing on instilling national values in young learners.
These citizen brigades will undergo training on positive leadership values, to nurture them into role models for others in society to emulate. Issa-Onilu emphasised the importance of targeting the youth, noting that individuals aged 35 and below constitute 70% of Nigeria’s population.
Highlighting the agency’s mandate to drive positive societal change, Issa-Onilu underscored the need to imbibe positive values in the youth to foster responsible citizenship. He mentioned ongoing discussions with relevant institutions to introduce nationalism studies as a compulsory subject in primary schools and universities, aiming to instill patriotic values.
Expressing concern over the influence of foreign content on Nigerian children through cartoons, he announced plans to solicit entries for cartoons promoting local content. Additionally, NOA intends to launch a mobile app featuring indigenous cartoons to promote national values and culture.
Under the acronym CLHEEAN, which aims to clean society of all bad behaviours, activities, and mannerisms, NOA aims to consolidate its efforts to promote positive societal values.
Issa-Onilu sought the cooperation and support of NOA staff in executing these initiatives, pledging to prioritise staff welfare in the agency’s operations.
