FIC Report (Benue State) – The National Orientation Agency (NOA) Benue State Directorate, on Thursday, 4th September, 2025, held a one-day sensitization town hall meeting at the Federal Secretariat Complex, Makurdi, with the theme “Strengthening Nigeria’s Future: Education, Security, Values, and National Identity.”
In his presentation, the NOA State Director, Mr. Mark Dewua, welcomed stakeholders, community leaders, educationists, government representatives, religious and traditional leaders, youth groups, and the press, stressing that Nigeria faces multifaceted challenges that require coordinated efforts across education, disaster preparedness, security, values reorientation, and national identity.
Education and Government Programmes
Mr. Dewua highlighted several Federal Government initiatives under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu aimed at empowering youth and improving national development. These include:
Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND): An interest-free loan scheme for tertiary, vocational, and skill acquisition students with over 298,000 beneficiaries so far.
Social Safety Net Expansion: Providing cash transfers, food support, healthcare, and livelihood empowerment.
Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund: Financing critical infrastructure across the country.
Rural Health and Agriculture Modernisation Programme (RHAMP): Upgrading rural health services and modernizing farming.
National Youth Investment Fund (NYIF): Financing youth-led businesses and innovation hubs.
Digital Learning Tools for Underserved Communities: Bridging the digital divide with e-learning resources.
SUPA (Skills Upgrade and Professional Advancement): Supporting postgraduate training and employability.
He further noted that corps members are now benefitting from the new national minimum wage, while Federal Technical Colleges enjoy free education under the current administration.
National Values Reorientation
The NOA Director expressed concern over declining discipline, patriotism, and dignity among Nigerian youth, particularly unsafe graduation practices and social vices. He reaffirmed NOA’s commitment to promoting the National Values Charter, the establishment of National Values Brigades in schools, and the introduction of compulsory citizenship education to restore patriotism, discipline, and dignity of labour.
Nigerian Identity and National Symbols
Mr. Dewua stressed the importance of strengthening Nigeria’s identity through respect for national symbols and values. He explained the NOA’s “7 for 7 plus 7” framework which outlines the obligations of both leaders and citizens under the National Values Charter. Initiatives highlighted include:
Compulsory Citizenship Studies in schools.
Formation of Citizen Brigades in schools.
National Symbols Day on September 16th every year.
Reintroduction of the third stanza of the National Anthem as the National Prayer.
Nationalization of cartoons and content to reflect Nigerian values.
Orientation programmes for appointed and elected officials.
Flooding and Disaster Preparedness
Acknowledging Nigeria’s vulnerability to natural disasters, particularly flooding, the NOA Director outlined ongoing sensitisation campaigns in flood-prone states. These are supported by Federal Government interventions such as:
₦3bn per state for drainage clearance and relocations.
NEMA relief operations and community drills.
National Drainage Master Plan and Green Climate Fund support.
National Security Awareness
Mr. Dewua emphasized that security is a shared responsibility. Government measures include the recruitment of 20,000 police officers, deployment of drones and surveillance systems, and establishment of over 5,000 neighbourhood watch groups. NOA’s Security and Peace Campaign has reached over 10 million Nigerians. Citizens were urged to remain vigilant, avoid fake news, cooperate with security agencies, and promote peace in their communities.
The NOA State Director concluded that Nigeria’s sustainable development and unity depend on collective responsibility and patriotism. He called for renewed commitment to education, values, national symbols, disaster preparedness, and security as key pillars for building a prosperous and united nation.
Signed
VERONICA AZEMBA
For Head of Center FIC Makurdi
