NATIONAL ORIENTATION AGENCY: AN EFFECTIVE TOOL TO SOCIAL AND POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT OF NIGERIA

NATIONAL ORIENTATION AGENCY: AN EFFECTIVE TOOL TO SOCIAL AND POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT OF NIGERIA

CHAPTER ONE

Background of the Study

The NOA is a federal government agency under the Federal Ministry of Information, which is headed by a Director General. The agency is vested with the mandate to execute the functions of orientating and re-orientating the Nigerian populace on a wide number of issues which engenders Nation building and beyond; such issues relating to Economical, Social, Political, and Environmental, Psychological etc. The National Orientation Agency of Nigeria is the agency with the mandate of disseminating  government policy, collating public opinion, and fostering national unity, patriotism,  and  the development of Nigerian society. The agencys motto is   “Do the right thing: transform Nigeria.” The specific objectives of the agency were defined in Decree 100 of 1993. The National Orientation Agency has successively handle matters involving health, cooperation with non-governmental organizations, and prevention of electoral violence. The NATIONAL ORIENTATION AGENCY ACT;(1993) IS An Act which stipulates the  establishment of  the National Orientation Agency  with the responsibility to re-orientate and motivate  Nigerians to participate actively and freely in discussions and decisions that  affect their collective and general welfare and for other matters connected therewith.

Consequently the specified functions of the agency include the

Informing and educating the general public on Government programmes, policies, and activities;

Engendering favorable opinion   and support for Government policies, programmes and activities from the public;

The collating, analyzing and providing feedback on policies, programme and activities of the government from the public;

Exposing Nigerians to democratic values and norms through the Establishment of social institutions and framework for a disciplined, progressive, virile, peaceful, and united society.

Stimulate the sense of consciousness of all of Nigerians on their legitimate privileges, rights, and obligations as citizens of Nigeria;

Stimulate and engender the spirit of dignity of labour, commitment and honesty to the qualitative promotion, production and consumption of locally produced products and services;

Re-orientate Nigerians on the issue of power, its use and the effective role of Government in serving the collective interest of the people of Nigeria;

Inculcate the sense of responsibility to eschew all vices such as corruption, dishonesty, electoral and census malpractice, ethnic parochial and religious bigotry in public life;

Mobilize the people of Nigeria to identify and exercise positive patriotic participation in national issues and affairs and, inform, mobilize and engage all Nigerians to fight against all forms of internal and external domination of resources by a few individuals or groups. NATIONAL ORIENTATION AGENCY ACT (1993)

1.2 Statement of the Problem

The National Orientation  agency is vested with lofty objectives which consist of the need to ensure that Federal Government programmes and policies are accepted and understood by the general public; engender favorable opinions from the public for government policies and programmes; enhance informal education , public enlightenment activities and publication; motivate the public for feedback  on all aspect of national issues  to the Federal Government ;  educating, orientating and indoctrinating Nigerians on  socially desirable , values, attitude and culture in other to project nigerias positive image; Inculcate in Nigerians  the spirit of nationalism, self-discipline, patriotism, and self-reliance; Develop the attitude of   Nigerians to their civic obligation  of  promoting  national unity,  human rights and to build a just, free and progressive society; Motivate Nigerians to participate actively and freely in all national issues and matters which affect their wellbeing and general welfare; Develop in Nigerians the positive  attitudes and culture for the attainment of  national unity, discipline and the goals and objectives of a united Nigeria; Inculcate in Nigerians the  sense of nationalism and leadership ; and foster respect for constituted authority. NATIONAL ORIENTATION AGENCY ACT (1993).

NATIONAL ORIENTATION AGENCY: AN EFFECTIVE TOOL TO SOCIAL AND POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT OF NIGERIA