The Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Lanre Issa-Onilu, has restated that the Nigerian Identity Project, which includes a national reorientation policy, is vital for forging a unified Nigeria.
Issa-Onilu made the remarks during a town hall audience participation program hosted by Television Continental (TVC) last night, which focused on the question, “Who is a Nigerian?”
The NOA boss emphasised that successful nations deliberately cultivate guiding values for their societies, and the reorientation policy aims to achieve the same for Nigeria.
He highlighted that the proposed Nigerian Values Charter is designed to facilitate this.
According to him, the Charter has two core components: the Nigerian Promise, which defines the country’s fundamental commitments to its citizens, and the Citizen Codes, which detail the obligations of Nigerians to the nation.
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Collectively, these elements are intended to create a reciprocal social contract that will strengthen patriotism, accountability, and national cohesion.
Challenging the notion that only government officials should drive national values, Issa-Onilu argued that all citizens, regardless of their position, must have a clear understanding of these national values.
He stated that this clarity is necessary for effective performance in any leadership role, whether within the family, religious organisations, workplaces, or communities.
The two-hour town hall event was moderated by Nifemi Oguntoye and featured a panel that included communication expert Kadaria Ahmed, legal practitioner Jiti Ogunye, and Keneth Ikenwa of the University of Lagos.
The audience included students from the University of Lagos and other participants.
