NOA seeks stronger NAWOJ partnership on civic education ahead of elections_<\/p>\n
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has called for stronger collaboration with the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) ahead of the next general elections, in line with its mandate on value reorientation, civic education, and national identity building._<\/p>\n
NOA’s Director-General, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, made the call during a courtesy visit by NAWOJ, describing the engagement as timely and strategic to national development and democratic consolidation.<\/p>\n
He said effective nation-building requires sustained partnerships between institutions responsible for public communication and citizen engagement, noting that NOA\u2014established from the former MAMSER framework\u2014maintains a robust grassroots structure with over 800 offices nationwide.<\/p>\n
Issa-Onilu highlighted the Agency\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
In a statement by the Agency’s Director of Communication and Media, he 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The Director-General disclosed that the Agency has developed the Nigerian Identity Project under the National Values Charter, anchored on a \u201cseven-for-seven\u201d principle outlining mutual responsibilities between government and citizens.<\/p>\n
He highlighted 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.<\/p>\n
Issa-Onilu also noted ongoing plans to encourage increased local production of children\u2019s content, with a target of ensuring that at least 70 per cent of cartoons consumed by Nigerian children reflect indigenous culture and values.<\/p>\n
The Director-General stressed 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\u2019s participation in leadership.<\/p>\n
In her remarks, 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.<\/p>\n
She proposed a joint NOA\u2013NAWOJ initiative involving nationwide training workshops, community outreach programmes targeting women and youth, development of civic education materials in local languages, as well as coordinated media campaigns to promote inclusive and informed participation.<\/p>\n
Also speaking, 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\u2019s National Anthem and advocating stronger integration of media and information literacy into educational systems.<\/p>\n
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 her upcoming elections.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
NOA seeks stronger NAWOJ partnership on civic education ahead of elections_ The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has called for stronger collaboration with the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) ahead of the next general elections, in line with its mandate on value reorientation, civic education, and national identity building._ NOA’s Director-General, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, made […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":150310,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[1909,1324,2870,1167],"class_list":{"0":"post-150309","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-others","8":"tag-elections","9":"tag-nawoj","10":"tag-noa","11":"tag-partnership"},"yoast_head":"\n