The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has disclosed that the Federal Government would soon introduce Citizenship studies as core subjects at all levels of education in Nigeria.
Lanre Issa-Onilu, the Director General of NOA, stated this at a Town Hall Meeting with Stakeholders on Saturday in Lokoja, as part of his 2-day working visit to Kogi State, adding that it was imperative to interact with stakeholders on Government Policies, Programmes and Activities”, as part of the mandate given to NOA by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He said the introduction of citizenship study into the country’s school education system was necessary to help teach the right values and characters to every Nigerian child.
“The federal government will soon introduce Citizenship studies in all levels of education in Nigeria: primary, secondary and tertiary education where our children will undertake them as compulsory subjects and courses.
“This will enable them to learn the right values and characters and how to be a good Nigerian and make the country proud anywhere they go.
“This is to inculcate the right values in children so that when they grow up and get into society, they will live their lives in a way that both the parents, the society, and the country will be proud of them.
“So this will happen soon. And we are starting this year with 37,000 Citizenship Brigades, 1,000 per state in primary school and secondary schools”, he said.
Issa-Onillu equally disclosed that the federal government was working on a policy that would ensure that not less than 70 per cent of the content of cartoons would be about Nigeria values, adding that this would enable the children to know Nigeria’s history and know about the heroes of the country, celebrate their achievements, cultures and values.
He said, “Our children must know the heroes of the communities and be proud of where they come from so that they will be good ambassadors of their cultures and communities”.
Issa-Onilu pointed out that the country would be codifying its values through the National Values Charter being midwived by the Agency.
He said that the Values Charter was not anything new as all communities and ethnic nationalities hold strongly to their values but regretted that Nigeria had not put any value system in place, as he emphasized that values would only be appreciated when they were kept and made sacrosanct, promoted and nurtured by the people.
The NOA DG regretted that as of today, no one could give a definite answer about who is a Nigerian in terms of values and character.
“A proper Nigerian cannot be kidnapper, bandit, get to government and become a thief, stealing government resources, promoting corruption and bringing hardship to the people.
“A proper Nigerian is the one that becomes a governor and does the right things; provides infrastructures, creates employment, promotes peace and stability in the state.
“That’s who a good Nigerian is. A good Nigerian is the President who will come and promote prosperity, ensure unity and there is no nepotism.
“So, we need to work and collaborate together as stakeholders’ to ensure that we improve our values as a country,” he said.
He noted the Agency had compiled data across the country that had the detailed information of all heads and leaders of various unions and associations for proper mobilisation to support all government policies.
He equally commended the stakeholders for always being very supportive and dependable in working with NOA to move Nigeria forward.
Earlier, Patrick Edogbanya, the Ag. State Director of NOA, Kogi Directorate said the meeting provided the rare opportunity to rub minds with stakeholders towards finding a lasting solution to some of the country’s surmountable challenges.
The stakeholders include religious and traditional leaders, civil society organizations (CSOs) women and youth groups, media organizations, and retired state directors of NOA, among others.
Edogbanya noted that the DG had introduced new innovative ideas that would positively change the psyche of Nigerians towards self-esteem and strong confidence in Nigeria as an independent country with high moral values.
He said, “Kogi NOA directorate is proud of our DG’s innovations like the creation of the NOA news studio, NOA Social media App, Mobiliser, A monthly newsletter known as the Explainer, the National Value Chatter etc”.
The stakeholders in their various comments, urged NOA to impress on the Federal Government to urgently reduce Petroleum pump prices, reintroduce Religious studies and make it compulsory at all levels of education, among others.
