BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) has requested for strategic partnership with the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) on voter education and fight against misinformation.
The Director-General of NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu who stated this when he received the leadership of NAWOJ in Abuja, reiterated its commitment to value reorientation, civic education, and national identity building.
He described NAWOJ's visit as timely and strategic to national development and democratic consolidation.
Issa-Onilu informed that effective nation-building requires sustained partnerships between institutions responsible for public communication and citizen engagement, noting that NOA—established from the former MAMSER framework—maintains a robust grassroots structure with over 800 offices nationwide.
He highlighted the agency’s unique mandate to manage information and civic orientation, while commending women journalists for their patriotism and contributions to national development through ethical journalism and voluntary service.
The DG emphasised the urgency of strengthening voter and civic education among young Nigerians, noting that a significant proportion of the population is under the age of 35.
According to him, emerging digital influences and foreign media content are reshaping values sometimes for the worse, making structured civic engagement for national good more critical than ever.
Issa-Onilu disclosed that the agency has developed the Nigerian Identity Project under the National Values Charter, anchored on a “seven-for-seven” principle outlining mutual responsibilities between government and citizens.
He added that the Federal Executive Council has approved key components, including the reintroduction of Citizenship Studies into school curricula across all levels in a bid to uphold and promote national values.
The DG noted the ongoing plans to encourage increased local production of children’s content, with a target of ensuring that at least 70 per cent of cartoons consumed by Nigerian children reflected indigenous culture and values.
Issa-Onilu harped on the need for strategic deployment of communication resources to improve public perception and strengthen national cohesion, while calling for a shift from quota-based approaches to addressing structural and cultural barriers limiting women’s participation in leadership.
The NAWOJ National President, Aishatu Ibrahim said the visit was aimed at strengthening collaboration in civic and voter education, ethical journalism, and the fight against misinformation ahead of the upcoming elections.
She proposed a joint NOA–NAWOJ initiative involving nationwide training workshops, community outreach programmes targeting women and youth, development of civic education materials in local languages, and coordinated media campaigns to promote inclusive and informed participation.
A member of NAWOJ Board of Trustees, Zubair Jide Atta underscored the importance of national values and civic orientation, reflecting on the evolution of Nigeria’s National Anthem and advocating stronger integration of media and information literacy into educational systems.
The engagement reaffirmed a shared commitment between NOA and NAWOJ to deepen collaboration in promoting civic responsibility, national values, and inclusive governance, particularly as Nigeria prepares for upcoming elections.
This was contained in a statement by NOA Director of Communication and Media, Bala Musa in Abuja.
Comments
Post a Comment