INFORMATION IS POWER! The Power of Information can never be over- emphasized as it goes a long way in orientating and empowering the citizenry in their daily activities. Information and general orientation can be highlighted as one of the BENCHMARK in Nation Building . . .
NIGERIANS NEED 2 KNOW!
Looking Back to the Popular TV Promo in the 1980's which featured an
adventurous Young Nigerian named ANDREW (Enebeli Elebuwa ) who was fed up with the happening in Nigeria, and therefore decided to leave the Country for Good Clutching his Bag and Walking sauntering to the Airport, he echoed his frustration: “Men, NO LIGHT, NO WATER; NO JOB…I'm tired of this Country …"I'M CHECKING OUT" ' Then the Voice of HOPE came in, VENO Marioghae Singing; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBrrkiCXYNo&sns=em
ANDREW NO CHECKOUT Ooo! "NIGERIA GO SURVIVE"
This Promo was so popular that it became a mantra in every HOUSEHOLD in Nigeria . No Doubt the Promo went a long way in changing the Orientation of Majority of Young Nigerians, thereby giving them the opportunity for them to redefine their patriotism to Nigeria and also put a stop to BRAIN-DRAIN/ EXODUS of our Youths whose goals are to travel out of Nigeria in search of greener pastures abroad instead of consolidating on the available resources
and harnessing on their potentials.
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) was established by Decree 100 of 23rd August, 1993. To establish the Agency , the Decree merged 3 Significant organs of Government , namely : (1) The Public Enlightenment (PE), (2) War Against Indiscipline (WAI) , and (3) National Orientation Movement (NOM) Divisions of the then Federal Ministry of Information and Culture with the Directorate for Social Mobilization, Self Reliance and Economic Recovery (MAMSER) .
The Rationale for the merger was to Harmonize and Consolidate the efforts and Resources of Government in the Area of Public Enlightenment, Social Mobilization and Value Re-Orientation.
The obligations of this government Agency are;
(1) To consistently Raise AWARENESS,
(2) Provide Timely and Credible Feedback;
(3) Positively Change ATTITUDES , Values and Behaviors
(4) Accurately and adequately INFORM;
(5) And sufficiently MOBILIZE Citizens to act in ways that promote Peace, Harmony; and National Development.
THEREFORE, It's the Duty and Obligations of the National Orientation Agency to Educate, Orientate and inform Nigerians on the Activities & strides of Government and also to BRIDGE the lingering GAP between Government and the entire populace by using all available resources and including the Media (Facebook , Twitter , Blogs etc). But then why are the PEOPLE still not connecting with the Government of the Day as it relates to their Daily Lives “The MOOD of the Nation" ?
INDEED! Nigerians needs to be Educated on the responsibilities of the 3 tiers of Government inter alia, the duties of the 3 arms of Government and how they relate to their existence. LGA-GRASSROOTS SENSITISATION...
In view of this, the NOA has so far FAILED Nigerians for lack of Awareness and Sensitization. Starting with JANUARY PROTEST where the common Nigerian was not sensitized about the PAINS and GAINS of the Fuel Subsidy Removal (FSR) in January 2012 which led to the unfounded PROTEST that threatened the existence of our Great Nation even though it eventually unveiled the huge corruption that has been plaguing the Downstream Sector of the Nigeria Economy , #FarCrook vs OteDollar SAGA.
Dont forget this same massive Protests heralded the lost of lives and properties of innocent Nigerians who hit the street in protest without knowing the TRUE meaning of SUBSIDY! #Ojota Jamboree.
Thus, The Negligence of the NOA has further destroyed the Relationship between Government and the GOOD PEOPLE of Nigerians. Another Monumental flaws is the area of lack of awareness in Electoral Matters as was witnessed in the recent July 14th and October 20th Gubernatorial Elections in Edo and Ondo States where Electorates were not properly informed as they exhibited all forms of ignorance during elections . The naivety and ignorance shown by Electorates during the VOTING exercise shows lack of awareness where the National Orientation Agency failed Nigerians , as they were numerous cases of Multiple Voting and Thumb Printing and even cases of the uneducated few who found it difficult to identify the Candidates of their Choice. It is definitely not the sole responsibility of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Political Parties involved because it remains a National burden .
And this brings Us back to Memories of the GOOD Old Days of MAMSER with Prof . JERRY GANA in-charge whose Communication Skills & Achievements as Director-General of National Orientation Agency is INCOMPARABLE and he left a LEGACY.
THURS, if this TRANSFORMATION Agenda will Make Sense, NOA MUST WAKE UP!
MOA,
-@MOAgbajoh
