Rep Fatoba’s Committee Presses NOA on National Values Charter, Permanent Office as Agency Seeks New Law for Reforms. By Abibu Shehu Ibrahim
Rep Fatoba’s Committee Presses NOA on National Values Charter, Permanent Office as Agency Seeks New Law for Reforms.
By Abibu Shehu Ibrahim
The House of Representatives Committee on Information, National Orientation, Ethics and Values has called on the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to provide comprehensive updates on the implementation of the National Values Charter, nationwide public enlightenment campaigns, staff training and efforts to secure a permanent headquarters.
The Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Fatoba Steve Olusola, who made the request during the Committee’s interactive session with the Director-General of NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu at the National Assemby Complex,Abuja recalled that the Committee conducted an oversight visit to the NOA on November 21, 2024, to assess its activities, budget performance, operational challenges and future plans.
He explained that the latest engagement was aimed at evaluating how the Agency is delivering on its core mandate of building an orderly, responsible and disciplined Nigerian society anchored on honesty, patriotism, hard work and national unity.
The Ekiti State federal lawmaker noted that the Committee was particularly interested in the implementation of the National Values Charter, which the Agency is championing following its approval by the Federal Executive Council.
Drawing attention to a presidential directive contained in the resolutions of the Federal Executive Council meeting of September 23, 2024, Hon Fatoba said the Committee wanted to know the extent of implementation of the policy requiring newly appointed and elected public officers to undergo training on Nigeria’s national symbols and values before assuming office.
He also sought updates on the Agency’s efforts to acquire a permanent office, capacity-building programmes for staff and members, as well as sensitisation campaigns across states and local government areas to educate citizens on government programmes and policies.
Responding, the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, said the Agency had deliberately departed from the traditional approach of relying mainly on radio and television jingles, opting instead for a comprehensive national reorientation programme built around the National Identity Project and the National Values Charter.
According to him, the initiative is designed to establish a shared national identity and value system that defines what it means to be Nigerian and promotes responsible citizenship.
Issa-Onilu disclosed that the Agency is seeking the repeal and reenactment of its enabling Act, describing the existing law as outdated and unable to address emerging realities such as social media, artificial intelligence and other modern communication challenges.
He said President Bola Tinubu approved all 14 reform proposals submitted by the Agency at the Federal Executive Council meeting of September 23, 2024, providing the foundation for the ongoing reforms.
The Director-General explained that the National Values Charter is built on two complementary pillars—the Nigerian Promise, which outlines government’s obligations to citizens, and the Citizen Code, which sets out seven behavioural principles expected of every Nigerian.
Describing the framework as a “seven-for-seven” model, he said it establishes a reciprocal relationship between government and citizens, with both parties expected to fulfil clearly defined responsibilities.
Drawing comparisons with Japan, Issa-Onilu said countries that have successfully institutionalised national values have achieved high levels of civic discipline because such principles are deliberately taught from childhood and embedded in their educational systems.
He announced that Heritage and Citizenship Studies had already been introduced as a compulsory subject from Primary One to Senior Secondary School Three in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education.
He added that the Agency was working with the National Universities Commission, the National Board for Technical Education and Colleges of Education to integrate the National Values Charter into tertiary institution curricula.
According to him, the Charter has already been incorporated into the training manuals of the Nigerian Correctional Service, while similar engagements are at advanced stages with the Nigeria Police Force, the Federal Road Safety Corps and other security agencies.
Issa-Onilu further revealed that newly appointed Nigerian ambassadors recently underwent orientation on the National Values Charter before departing for their foreign missions, in line with the presidential directive.
He said the Agency is also producing standardised national symbols, including the national flag, coat of arms, national anthem and promotional audiovisual materials for distribution to Nigerian embassies across the world to strengthen the country’s image abroad.
On the issue of a permanent headquarters, the NOA boss disclosed that the Agency approached the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for the allocation of a forfeited property.
According to him, President Tinubu has approved the request and directed the EFCC to identify a suitable forfeited building that can serve as the Agency’s permanent office.
While acknowledging that the formal unveiling of the National Values Charter had taken longer than anticipated, Issa-Onilu said the Agency had written to the Presidency to facilitate its launch and had also sought greater collaboration with the National Assembly to ensure broad legislative support for the proposed amendments to its Act.
He reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to deepening citizens’ orientation through sustained public enlightenment programmes and institutional reforms aimed at building a more patriotic, disciplined and responsible Nigerian society.
