The Director, Civic, Values and Democracy Education, NOA headquarters Dr. Olukemi Afolayan, has described the two years of Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu as Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) as “equivalent to two decades of transformative impact.”
Speaking on “Burning Issue”, a magazine programme anchored by Seun Owoseni on Ilaji 91.9 FM, Ibadan, Dr. Afolayan said the appointment of Mallam Issa-Onilu marked a historic breakthrough and a major quantum leap in the progress of the Agency — a feat unprecedented in its annals.
“Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu is passionate about this country round the clock. His vision is clear, his energy is inspiring, and his leadership style is deeply inclusive and people-centered,” she noted.
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According to her, the DG possesses a Midas touch that has repositioned the Agency on a remarkable pedestal, such that his two years in office “look like twenty” in the eyes of many Nigerians. She attributed this success to his accessibility, drive, zeal, and unwavering commitment to value reorientation and national renewal.
Staff Welfare, Capacity Building & Institutional Renewal; Dr. Afolayan commended the DG for prioritising staff welfare and capacity development, describing him as “a team player and transformational leader” who has inspired staff motivation and institutional renewal, creating a work environment that encourages excellence and innovation
Grassroots Penetration & National Visibility
She further stated that under the DG’s leadership, the Agency has restored government presence to communities that had been disconnected from civic enlightenment for decades.
“The DG has carried sensitization to communities that have not felt the impact of any government representative in over 50 years, helping national programmes and policies awareness to spread to the grassroots,” she added. Through the quarterly NOA thematic nationwide campaigns.
This renewed relevance, she explained, has been further boosted by the Agency’s expanding digital footprint and innovative outreach tools, which callers on the programme also attested to.
Strategic Support from the Federal Government
Dr. Afolayan acknowledged the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who she said recognises the strategic importance of NOA in national rebirth and value reorientation.
“The President understands the missing link in our nation-building journey is values. That is why he is giving the Agency every necessary backing to succeed,” she affirmed.
Reform Milestones
She highlighted some NOA flagship programmes such as the National Values Charter, The Explainer weekly bulletin, and CHLEEAN, the Agency’s artificial intelligence civic-sensitization tool, are reshaping citizen engagement.
Raising a Value-Driven Citizenry
Dr. Afolayan emphasized that Issa-Onilu’s leadership has repositioned NOA for the great task of national values reorientation — rekindling patriotism, discipline, and civic responsibility across all segments of society.
“He leads by example — primus inter pares — and this has inspired staff of the agency nationwide to double their efforts for better service delivery,” she said.
