NOA/CODE To Promote Core Values For National Development

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) and Connected Development (CODE) are partnering to entrench our national core values in Nigerian youths and instill in them the mindset of commitment to national development.

This was the outcome of a courtesy visit paid on the Director General, NOA, Dr. Garba Abari by the Chief Executive Officer, CODE, Hamzat Lawal at the Agency’s headquarters in Abuja.

Abari, represented by the Director, Special Duties and State Operations, Mrs. Mette Edekobi however said the Agency has already set the ball rolling with a strong collaboration with the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) to instill in our youth the national core values for a positive behavioural change with the establishment of “Integrity Clubs” in secondary schools across the country. He said that in line with its mandate, not only has the Agency already established 650 integrity clubs for the students as they grow to become tomorrow’s leaders, it has also trained staff to supervise and monitor the activities of the clubs for evaluation and feedbacks for the growth and progress of the clubs.

The Director General, NOA said the Agency has robust platforms for the partnership to leverage on with staff of NOA at the grassroots level, known as Community Orientation Mobilization Officers (COMOs), who can speak and send out the message in local dialects of the communities where they reside.

The Connected Development, CEO Hamzat Lawal was represented by Dr. Onyekachi Onuoha, Project Lead, Power of Voices Partnership – Fair for All (PVP-F4A). He said that the team is in collaboration with Oxfam International to partner with NOA in changing the orientation and mindset of conspiracy theory on COVID-19 among Nigerian youths. The partnership, he said, will also drive the COVID-19 Accountability Project and Safe Malaria Initiative, helping the vulnerable in the society to have access to healthcare facilities.

Furthermore, Lawal said the partnership will take relevant messages to grassroot communities to help change the perception of our youth on corruption and good governance, promote accountability and transparency and also make input in ICPC schools campaign materials while empowering marginalized communities to have access to what governance is all about.