The National Orientation Agency has emphasized the need for individual and collective attitudinal change for a better nation.
Speaking at a town hall meeting organized by the Agency for sensitization of stakeholders in Enugu on the re-adopted national anthem and unveiling of the National Values Charter, (NVC), the Director General of NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu represented by Mrs. Helen Babalola said the way to make Nigeria great again is through collective efforts but it starts with every Nigerian.
“The program is to raise awareness, create consciousness in our mind about Nigeria our nation, our responsibility in making it great; the commitment and responsibility begins with you and me.”
The DG further revealed the National value charter which is a program put together by the Agency to raise awareness of Nigerians on the need for us imbibe good values.
“When discussing values, we discuss principles, beliefs and ideologies shaping us as individuals and people. And as individuals have values that define their identity without which they are unguarded and lost, so does a nation need to define its values, without which such a nation will remain backward,”
“While we grapple with the challenges of poor infrastructure and a struggling economy, the most pressing challenge is the attitude of our citizens. It is high time we shifted our focus to promoting a national value system that guides the behavior of both our leaders and citizens.”
“Hence we have developed the National Values Charter’s (NVC) blueprint to implement the National Identity Policy; these values should guide all Nigerians—Leaders and Followers—in their daily lives, whether in private or public.”
“The Charter captures the social bond that guides the relationships between the Nigerian people and the state, as represented by all its agents and organs.”
“NVC is divided into two broad sections: the Nigerian Promise and the Citizen’s code.”
“We firmly believe that if both parties keep the seven promises of the Nigerian state to their citizens and the seven obligations of the citizens to the nation, the country will be on the path to tranquility and long-lasting peace and progress.”
The 7 for 7 reciprocal commitment between the country and the citizens stands for the 7 Nigerian Promise and 7 Citizen’s code; the Nigerian promise are Equality, Democracy, Entrepreneurship, Peace, Inclusivity, Freedom and Meritocracy while the Citizen’s code are Discipline, Duty of care, Tolerance, Leadership, Accountability, Environmental Awareness and Resilience.
On the re-adopted national anthem, the DG said, “the wordings of the new national anthem are very encouraging, reminds us of the things we hope and aspire for while the national value shows us that it is achievable if you and I work for it.”
Mallam Issa-Onilu also called on all citizens to learn to recite the three stanzas of the anthem off heart; while stanza one should be rendered at all official functions, the third stanza has been adopted as the National prayer.
He further charged all to respect our national symbols; do not fold or squeeze the currency, walk around while the anthem is being sung, properly hang the coat of arms in government offices and hoist the correct national flag amongst others.
Present at the meeting were the President of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Enugu state chapter Venerable Emmanuel Edeh; State Director National Population Commission Mrs. Odinaka Chukwu; Chairman President Generals Chief Arinze Nnia Ogbodo represented by Ikenna Ogbodo; Corp members serving in Enugu amongst others.
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