NOA DG Calls for Strong Nigerian Identity and Family Values

The Director General of Nigeria’s National Orientation Agency, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, has underscored the critical importance of forging a strong Nigerian identity to serve as the basis for national unity and the reinforcement of family values. This statement was made during a significant courtesy visit by the Baynakum Family Counselling Centre, led by CEO Ustaz Dr. Abdulfatah Adeyemi, to the NOA headquarters in Abuja.

Issa-Onilu acknowledged that while Nigerians hold deep pride in their diverse religious and ethnic backgrounds, a unified national identity that binds all citizens remains elusive. This gap inspired the NOA’s Nigerian Identity Project and the National Values Charter, a framework intended to define and nurture a collective Nigerian ethos. He emphasized that the family unit and societal structures are foundational in fostering responsible citizenship, and committed to partnering with Baynakum to advance reorientation programs nationwide.

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Representatives from Baynakum, including Dr. Adeyemi and Dr. Abdurasaq Adio, pledged to intensify their efforts towards strengthening families and engaging youths through counseling, advocacy, and campaigns targeting social vices. They highlighted that collaboration with NOA would amplify their reach, impacting not only Nigeria but also neighboring West African nations.

Issa-Onilu’s remarks align with the broader objectives of the National Identity Project, which seeks to redefine what it means to be Nigerian by instilling shared values and responsibilities outlined in the National Values Charter. This initiative features seven pillars that simultaneously express government commitments and citizen responsibilities, aiming to cultivate accountability and unity across the country. The National Orientation Agency continues to champion these ideals through community engagements and partnerships like the one with Baynakum, underscoring the family as the “first school of citizenship” essential to national security and progress.