Our patriotism is key to building a better country not infrastructure – FG tells Nigerians
Says we need to reglue our bonds
Shina Abubakar, Osogbo
The Federal Government has disclosed that patriotism among Nigerians is the key element needed to build a great country beyond the provision of infrastructure.
This was disclosed by the Director-General, National Orientation Agency, NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu at the Stakeholders’ Engagement on National Anthem, Identify Project and Value Charter in Osogbo, Osun State capital on Tuesday.
Fibroid: ‘I needed male child, but doctor removed my womb’ — Susan Okafor, mother of two0:00 / 0:00
Represented by NOA’s Director, Report Coordination and Improvement, Olubukola Olorunfemi, he said no change would last if it is not rooted in the people’s cherished ethics and values.
His words, “A change that does not take its root in the people’s cherished ethics and values stand on quicksand. No infrastructure nor state of art infrastructure can endure a citizenry that is unpatriotic.
“Whatever bound us together in the past had long ago melted like wax. We are in pieces and need to be glued together. NOA is being re-strategized in a way to address the challenges of the country. The value system will give us criteria to use, assess or evaluate the conduct of the members of the society”.
To further correct the ill in the society, Issa-Onilu said the agency is embarking on several moves, which include, the creation of the Mobilizer App to engage youths on social media and also make crime reporting easy.
“Promoting ‘The Real Nigerian Campaign’ as a way of exhibiting cultural pride both in outfit and tradition. Engagement with cartoon creators to change what our children watch going forward to reflect our heroes, values, and victories to drive national development
“Recruitment of Citizens Brigade (about 37,000), 1000 per state in primary and secondary schools to promote the contents of the National Values Charter.
If we believe we can, then we will. We should transport the law of our country to any place we find ourselves within the country or in the diaspora”, he said.
The State Director NOA, Bola Morgan, said, “We are here today to find a solution to our bad system. No one does not know when he is engaging in evil acts. We all have bad attitudes and behaviours which need to change whether we like it or not.”
