In furtherance of the Agency’s resolve to spread the sensitisation on the National Identity Project, the Oyo State Directorate of the National Orientation Agency held a Town Hall meeting on Thursday, October 16, 2024 at the Western Hall, Oyo State Secretariat, Ibadan.
The Town Hall meeting which was attended by representatives of different segments of the society including security agencies, corps members, youth and women organisations.
Others are faith based organisations, civil society organisations, market men and women, NCWS and others brainstormed on the need to restore our national values.
They unanimously agreed that it is important to pray for the success of our leaders and to rekindle hope for a better Nigeria.
In his address, the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency, Mallam Lanre Issa- Onilu, who was represented by Mrs. Adeola Adelaja, Director, Political Education, Ethics and Values, he affirmed that the National Identity Project is not about identification cards or administrative data.
OYO: NOA Urges Nigerians to Repose Trust In Government, Embrace National Identity Project
He stated that the focus is on values, the core principles that bind us together as Nigerians and which define who we are as a nation.
He emphasised that national identity is about embracing values such as integrity, hardwork, discipline, patriotism and respect for diversity. 
He assured the citizens that there would be light at the end of the tunnel.
He also noted that with both the government and the people playing their parts well, national progress and development are achievable.
He added that, ‘Together, we can achieve the change that we seek, let us go forth with renewed hope and a steadfast commitment to making our great nation, one we can all be proud of.’
He called on the people to key into the project in the mosques, churches, traditional councils, professional associations and community gatherings.
He reiterated that we all have a part to play in the success of the National Identity Project and encouraged the people to embrace the ideas it presents such as honesty, hardwork and national pride.”
Mrs Adelaja, who is the NOA Director Political Education, Ethics and Values, spoke about some of the policies, initiatives and achievements of the present administration in the areas of economic reform, social welfare and poverty alleviation, security and national unity, energy and infrastructural development, agriculture, and food security.
She introduced the 7 for 7 promises of the National Values Charter which is a social contract between the government and the citizens.
She elucidated that the initiative undescores the fact that the government and the people have responsibilities if we must achieve national development.
She highlighted the Nigerian promise which details government’s commitment to the people.
These are: Equality, Democracy, Entrepreneurship, Peace , Inclusivity, Freedom and Meritocracy. She also outlined the citizen’s code, calling on the citizens to uphold the values of Discipline, Duty of Care, Tolerance, Leadership, Accountability, Environmental Awareness and Resilience.
The Chairman of the occasion, the Director General of OYMASED, Dr Moronkola Thomas, in his address, implored the people not to abandon the” Omoluabi” values for which Yoruba is respected worldwide on the altar of modernisation.
He reiterated that the economic downturn did not just start today.
The OYMASED DG urged Nigerians to embrace the national core values and adjust to the present reality, by doing what is good and shunning evil.
The programme ended with a Theatre for Development piece on the National Identity Project by the NOA troupe.
E signed
Isiaka Kehinde
Head, Media and Publicity, Oyo State NOA.
