Policy sensitisation: NOA seeks stronger collaboration with Kwara Govt
By Bushrah Yusuf-Badmus
The North Central Zonal Directorate of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) has sought a stronger collaboration with the Kwara State Government on the sensitisation of its programmes and policies.
NOA North Central Zonal Director, Mrs Priscilla Gondoaluor said this on Tuesday in Ilorin, while leading the agency’s management on a courtesy visit to the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Mamman Saba Jibril.
Mrs Gondoualuor said with the ongoing reformation in the state, government policies and programmes would be better accepted when understood.
The zonal director said the collaboration became imperative to create behavioural change and mobilise people to support government policies and programmes.
”The zonal office was created to bridge the gap and join hands with the state offices in effecting the mandate of the NOA.
”Our activities are aimed at re-engineering the mindset of the people to support government policies, because support is impossible when the policies are unknown.
”Presently, we are aware of the collaboration between NOA and the state government but we want a stronger tie.
”This is because with all that the state is doing and for public acceptance, people have to take ownership of the programmes for them to have a sense of belonging,” she said.
The zonal director also urged the state government to continue to initiate and support the inclusion of NOA in all programmes to drive the agenda of President Bola Tinubu to ”build Nigerians to build Nigeria”.
Mrs Gondoualuor said the citizen’s mind need to be reoriented towards the government especially in the rural communities who have less trust in the government.
She said citizens will have better understanding of the policies when communicated to them in ways they understand which the NOA was already known for.
In his response, the SSG said the reorientation by the NOA is necessary as the human nature is forgetful when not reminded.
Prof. Jibril pledged the government’s support to the agency for it to achieve the purpose it was created for.
He said the government would provide all needed materials and the enabling environment to make the agency’s work easier.
The SSG urged the zonal directorate to continue to remain focused to achieve desired results.
Meanwhile, the NOA management had earlier visited the Commissioner for Communication, Mrs Bolanle Olukoju to strengthen the working relationship between the agency and the ministry.
Gondoualuor suggested that the ministry approve a working committee comprising the Ministry, the State Directorate, and the Zonal Directorate to immediately commence the creation of awareness and sensitization of citizens on the mandates of existing bodies, ministries, and parastatals.
She said this would project what the state government is doing and help the people appreciate the government, appreciate governance, trust the government, and cooperate with it.
The commissioner, in her response, expressed delight at the visit and looked forward to a working relationship with the Agency.
She also noted that the challenges faced as a people are not necessarily awareness but rather acceptability.