The Abia State Director of National Orientation Agency (NOA), Dr.( Lady) Ngozi Okechukwu has charged Community Orientation Officers(COMOs) of NOA in the 17 LGAS to be diligent in their sensitization on the E-enrolment of the National Home-Grown school feeding programme to ensure that the accurate data of the targeted beneficiaries are captured for the sustainability of the Federal Government programme.
Dr Okechukwu gave the charge during the step-down Training for NOA COMOs , WAI-C brigade and other Staff of the Agency on the National Home-Grown School Feeding Program held in Umuahia pointed out that NOA is in collaboration with the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development to drive the sensitization process of the E-enrolment programme.
According to her, the Federal Government is using the robust structure of NOA to facilitate the distribution of forms and sensitization.
At the same time, Community Orientation Officers are expected to engage in grassroots sensitization using various platforms like churches and markets.
She added that the NHGSFP was designed to reach only pupils in 1-3 in public schools as part of Government efforts to improve enrollment, attendance , retention and completion in public schools. Every enrolled child in the program is entitled to a free meal in participating schools.
At the same time, the local farmers will have a predictable outlet for their products, leading to a stable income, more investments and higher productivity.
Contributing, the State Focal Person, Social Investment Program, Mr Chinenye Nwogu reminded the participants that the state is not interested in manipulating figures but charged them to maintain the culture of integrity.
Mr Nwogu noted that poverty affects the capacity of children to learn effectively and advised that all challenges that will undermine the Programme should be reported to the Grievance Reporting Desk of the community.
The State Director used the opportunity to also unveil the maiden NOA Magazine , “Abia Mobiliser”, with the theme “Building A People of Peace: Fall in Love With Nigeria during COVID-19 Pandemic”.
The member representing Isiala Ngwa North State Constituency in Abia State House of Assembly, Sir Ginger Onwusibe, flanked by the State N-Power focal person Chinenye Wogu, the Head of Service Isiala Ngwa North LGA, Lady Sally Anosike and an NGO Executive Director/CEO , Rural Development ( RUDEP) Mr Richard Okoro applauded NOA Abia State and the State Director for putting such research work in a colourful magazine.
Sir Ginger particularly thanked God for outliving COVID-19, adding that the pandemic period was used to test the faith of people.
