Lack of Patriotism, Trust, Abuse of Cultural Norms Bane of Nigeria’s Underdevelopment – DG NOA
By Tahir Muhammad, Dutse
The Director-General, National Orientation Agency, (NOA), Malam Lanre Issa- Onilu has attribute poor attitudinal change couple with lack of patriotism, trust among Nigerians as contributing factors to the country’s underdevelopment.
Others, he said, are indolence and abuse of cultural norms and values.
Issa- Onilu spoke during the launching of Jigawa Chapter of Nationwide NOA programs on National Identity Project at the NOA office in Dutse, Jigawa State.
Represented by Director, Legal Services, NOA Headquarters, Abuja, , Barrister Williams Dogo, the DG said the Agency has been advocating for a fundamental approach to value orientation and attitudinal change campaign.
According to him, “whereas slogans are good for the ear, it does not entrench these values in our hearts.”
Issa- Onilu noted that NOA’s mandate is to also to educate or sensitize Nigerians on the need to reorient attitudinal change to inculcate moral discipline and uphold patriotism, entrench honesty and hard work.
According to him, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, the Agency submitted to the Federal Executive Council some proposals seeking to entrench value orientation processes.
Many of the proposal, he explained, deal with young age indoctrination, providing the template for evaluation of the Real Nigerian Character.
The DG said, as a result, the Federal Government has approved the nationalization of cartoons in the country aimed to promote our values, culture, heroes, and lifestyles.
According to him, it will also encourage local cartoon content creators through various forms of government support to create jobs and develop the animation movie sub sector.
He also said citizenship study will be made compulsory component of the country’s educational system from primary to secondary levels of education.
Issa- Onilu noted that the Federal Ministry of Education, Nigerian Education Research Development Council and other relevant government institutions and stakeholders are to partner with NOA in coming up with a new curriculum for citizenship education.
