In furtherance of its mandate of promoting positive values in Nigeria, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in collaboration with Onyebuchi Chris Ifedoria (OCI), Center for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) and Gender Mobile Initiative (GMI) carried out an Attitudinal Re-Orientation Programme at Government Secondary School, Karu, FCT Abuja.
The programme is designed to address the myriad of vices prevalent in educational institutions which include Cultism, Examination Malpractices, Drug Abuse, Cybercrime, Sexual Harassment, and safety in schools, among others.
Director-General NOA, represented by the Director, Public Enlightenment and Mass Mobilization (PEMM), Mrs Ruth Ogun, charged students to make it a point of duty to study, understand and consciously practise the seven core values of the nation as enshrined in the nation’s constitution. The National Core Values include Discipline, Integrity, Dignity of Labour, Social Justice, Religious Tolerance, Self-reliance and Patriotism.
She emphasized the need to keep adhering to COVID19 preventive protocol because infection rate were spiking and some countries are experiencing the 3rd wave of the pandemic. Therefore, she urged students to keep washing of hands under running water, wearing face mask, use hand sanitizers, etc.
Other notable speakers at the programme were representative of OCI, Luther Emmanuel; representative of CCD, Peace Ezekiel; and representative of GMI, Sarah Egbo. Respectively, they enlightened students on the causes of cancer; people living with disabilities; sexual abuse and gender based violence.
Speaking at the programme, the SA to the DG NOA, Mr David Akoji disclosed that the Federal Government of Nigeria expressed concern about the subject matter of integrity and the fact that it seem to be a scarce commodity among citizens. It is reason why the federal government is establishing ‘’Integrity Clubs’’ across secondary schools in the country.