In the quest for collaboration towards the re-orientation, sensitizing and mobilization of citizens especially Lagosians towards the patronage of made-in-Nigeria products and services, the management team of National Orientation Agency, (NOA) Lagos Directorate on Thursday the 15th of August 2019, paid an advocacy visit to the Management of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) at the corporate headquarters in Ikeja Lagos for partnership.
Addressing Mr. Segun Ajayi-Kadir, Director General, MAN and his management team, the Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA) Lagos Directorate, Mr. Waheed Ishola commended the management for the reception accorded the team. He noted that the visit was a follow up to the discussion he had with the DG which was essentially to seek for collaboration and partnership on how to promote the patronage of made in Nigeria products and services. NOA he observed is the only Agency of government that is in operation in all the 774 local government and 37 Local Council Development Area of Lagos State.
The Director used the occasion to brief the team on possible areas of collaboration and how leveraging on MAN’s resources would benefit the Association in areas of the information and feedback mechanism to the government. He further stressed the Agency’s preparedness to assist the Association in propagating the patronage of made-in-Nigeria products and services.
Welcoming the management of National Orientation Agency, the Director General, MAN, Mr. Segun Ajayi-Kadir thanked the team for finding time to visit and noted that there are three things that stand the Agency out which are of significant importance. These are: Its presences in all the 774 Local Government Areas; Its Information and Feedback mechanism and its pro-activeness. On this premise, the DG promised to partner with NOA in areas that would bring out the patriotic zeal of citizens towards patronizing made-in- Nigeria goods and services. Even as he passionately appealed to the NOA Director to see that the following issues are brought forth to the government via the feedback mechanism.
1. Patronage of Nigerian goods should be from the top
2. Insecurity with its economic implications.
3. In the balance of Infrastructures, non-development of Eastern ports of the country
4. Openness, Clarity, and Accountability of laudable government policies. People should not be left guessing.
The highpoint of the visit was the appointment of desk officers for the two agencies and the exchange of information and education materials.
In attendance were: NOA Team: Deputy Director, Programmes, Mr. Kehinde Isiolatan ; Deputy Director, Admin/HR, Mrs. Aderonke Jacobs; Deputy Director, Planning, Research and Strategy, Mrs. Tomi Awosusi; Deputy Director, Local Government Operations, Ms. Adetola Adegboyega and Assistant Director, Accounts and Finance, Mr. Babajide Odumoye.