By Segun Adewale, Bauchi
The Director General (DG) of the National Orientation Agency (NOA-DG), Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu has
emphasized the Agency’s mandate to bridge the gap between government and citizens by ensuring Nigerians are well-informed and actively engaged in national development.
This was as the Agency launched its nationwide sensitisation campaign in Bauchi State focusing on combating unruly graduation ‘sign-out’ practices among students, flood mitigation and disaster preparedness, and other three thematic areas including national security awareness, youth and student values re-orientation, and strengthening respect for Nigeria’s national identity and symbols.
The DG who was speaking at a press conference to flag-off a Nationwide enlightenment campaign at the federal secretariat Bauchi Tuesday said the initiative is part of the agency’s mandate to bridge the gap between government and citizens, build trust, and promote national unity.
He expressed concern about the growing trend of disorderly behaviour by students during graduation ceremonies in some schools across the country, stressing that Nigerians should no longer tolerate such practices. “There must be a stand against this unruly behaviour,” he emphasised.
Represented by the Agency’s Director of Planning, Research, and Statistics, Alhaji Nuru Yusuf Kobi, the DG said the campaign will run across the 36 States, the FCT, and 774 Local Government Areas, featuring press conferences, town hall meetings, school visits, market rallies, roadshows, and advocacy visits to community leaders, among other things.
The DG outlined that the campaign will also highlight key government programmes, including NELFUND Student Loan Scheme with over 600,000 students benefiting with N59 billion disbursed, Social Safety Nets – Conditional Cash Transfers to more than 2 million households; trader moni and farmer moni loans.
Other government efforts, he said, include renovation of 700 rural schools on the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund, adding that the federal government earmarked N110 billion to support 150,000 youths under the National Youth Investment Fund (NYIF), as well as the SUPA Project (ITF) – Upskilling and certification of artisans nationwide.
The DG further disclosed that in response to NiMet’s 90% accurate weather warnings, the federal government approved N3 billion per state in 2024 for drainage clearance and relocation of vulnerable communities.
On security, he said 15,000 new security personnel, drones, armoured vehicles, and surveillance technologies have been deployed
He disclosed that over 600,000 students are already benefiting from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), and noted that, N59 billion have been disbursed to that purpose.
He added that the FG’s Social Safety Nets, has under the Conditional Cash Transfers (CCT) empowered over 2 million households, with Trader Moni and Farmer Moni, which he said is an interest-free loans being rolled out.
He said that the nationwide sensitization campaign focuses on five critical thematic areas designed to strengthen citizen awareness, deepen trust in
government, and promote national unity.
Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilue said that the campaign will be implemented across the 36 states, the FCT, and 774 LGAs, with engagements including press conferences, town hall meetings, school visitations, motor parks and market rallies, advocacy visits to traditional/religious leaders, and roadshows.
He urged citizens of Bauchi State and Nigeria at large to embrace the campaign and ensure active participation in the engagements, and serve as partners in building a stronger, united, and prosperous nation.
“Our campaigns are not just about information, they are about listening to Nigerians, engaging them, and fostering a sense of ownership in government programmes and policies,” the DG stated.
According to him, the five thematic areas of focus of the sensitization campaign include, government Policies, Programmes, and activities.
