Ugo Nosiri, Owerri
Participants at a townhall meeting organised by the National Orientation Agency, NOA, in Imo State have appealed to the Federal Government to take deliberate steps towards addressing hunger, insecurity and imbalance in running the affairs of the country.
The submission followed the ongoing campaign by the NOA to sensitise Nigerians on the re-adopted national anthem and national values charter aimed at re-orientating Nigerians on acceptable ways of doing things.
The participants said that although the nation was experiencing challenges the need for patriotism and hard work could not be over-emphasised.
They maintained that the call for national rebirth could only be achieved if only those in authority would lead by example.
The participants therefore called on leaders to ensure good governance and prioritise meritocracy over tribalism noting that the measure would help reduce agitation in some parts of the country.
The State Director of the National Orientation Agency, Mrs. StellaMaris Damian-Igwe, who represented the Director-General of the Agency Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, urged Nigerians to reflect on the symbols that bind the nation while stressing the need for the people to hold leaders to account.
The National Orientation Agency under the present administration has taken steps to entrench core national values, rights and responsibilities of citizens towards the nation.
The national values charter recently approved by the Federal Government will also ensure that leaders at all levels of government are aware of the obligations they owe to the citizenry.
To further drive home the message especially to those living in the rural areas, the NOA assembled Presidents-General of town unions, civil society groups, youth organisations, religious leaders and the media to reflect on the need for the adoption of the right attitude, patriotism and re-awakening the spirit of unity among Nigerians.
