The 2017 interactive session of Community Development Committee (CDC), Ikorodu Local Government was held on Tuesday 30th May, 2017 at the Council Hall of Ikorodu Local Government.
Presenting a paper on “Understanding the role of National Orientation Agency in Community Development”; the Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Lagos State, Mr. Waheed Ishola underscored the importance of Community organisations in the process of grassroot development; especially in health, education, community work and offering opportunities to different groups of people to grow, work and build a harmonious relationship irrespective of ethnic, religious or social class.
Narrowing it down to NOA activities as Community-based, the Director said that NOA is a Government mouth piece at Federal, State and Local Government. The Agency articulates government policies, programmes and activities. It a[so mobilizes favourable public opinion and support for such government policies, activities, programmes and even arouses consciousness of all Nigerians to know their rights, privileges, responsibilities and obligations to the Government.
Amongst other activities of the Agency, he noted that the Feedback on Government policies, programmes and activities, for example: providing timely and credible responses from the people on government performance in the political and socio-economic space which has impacted positively in the process of policy formulation, direction and evaluation.
According to the Director, the Agency’s main thrust regarding sensitization and value re-orientation now, is the “Change Begins with Me” campaign of the present administration. The campaign implies that all individuals should change their negative attitudes for positive attitudes or behaviours. Resulting from these negative attitudes are: corruption, kidnapping, cultism, child trafficking, ostentatious life style, lack of respect for the elderly and constituted authorities.
He urged the people to align with the National ethics as enshrined in chapter 2, section 23 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. These are: discipline, integrity, dignity of labour, social justice, religious tolerance, self-reliance and patriotism. He further tasked the participants to shun corrupt way of life, embrace hardwork and dignity of labour and promote peaceful co-existence in both private and public lives.
The Director used the occasion to equally educate the people on the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) ‘DO NOT DISTURB’ campaign of unsolicited messages and calls from service providers. He observed that due to numerous report of unsolicited messages and calls from service providers, the Nigerian Communications Commission came up with the ‘DO NOT DISTURB’ campaign where citizens only need to text STOP to 2442 on their phone and all such unsolicited messages will stop. Copies of educative materials were distributed to participants and community leaders.
Other speakers at the occasion where Representative of Nigerian Police Force, Area Command, Igbogbo, Lagos, DSP Nuhu Amodu; Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Community Development Affairs, Alhaji Tajudeen Adeniyi Quadri; Advocacy Team, Lagos State Health Scheme, Dr. Olakitan Jinadu; Representative of Ministry of Finance, Mr. Atekoja Adedeji; and Representative of Ikeja Electric Distribution Company.
Highpoint of the event was the unveiling of CDC T-shirt for members out door activities.
In attendance where Operative of DSS, Ikorodu, CDC Chairman Ikorodu West, Alhaja Olukoga Dalemo K.A, Member, Lagos State Ministry of Health. Alausa, Mr. Abdulganiyu O. Jolaoso; CDC Chairman, Ikorodu Local Government, Alhaji Lukman Sonibare and a host of CDC, CDA representatives.