National Orientation Agency, NOA, has begun the training of Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, and the private sector on Nigeria Identity Project, NIP, as approved by the Federal Executive Council, FEC.
The State Director of the agency, Dr Mustapha Tukur, made this known at the training of 500 participants of the Nigeria Correctional Service, NSC, in Kirikiri, Lagos yesterday.
NIP is a national policy launched by government, spearheaded by NOA to define a shared Nigerian identity and foster patriotism.
The project is built on the National Values Charter and includes the “Nigerian Promise” for leadership, “Citizen Codes” for the public, and an “Institutionalisation Policy.”
It emphasises values like integrity, hard work, and respect for diversity to build social cohesion and is part of a broader push for national development, working alongside the digital identity efforts of the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC.
Tukur said the purpose of the training is for the MDAs, schools and private sector to build a sense of belonging, purpose, and patriotism amongst all Nigerians.
He explained that every Nigerian has a role to play.
“Citizens, whether in or out of government, must understand national values, so in whatever leadership role they find themselves —in the family, workplace, church, mosque, or community—they can perform responsibly.”
The director explained that successful nations deliberately nurtured values that guided their societies, noting that the reorientation policy sought to provide Nigerians with a framework for shared values and identity.
According to him, the Nigerian Values Charter embodies two key components: the Nigerian Promise, which defines the commitments of the country to its citizens, and the Citizen Codes, which outline obligations of citizens to the nation.
He said: “The training will enable Nigerians to promote a shared identity that transcends religious, ethnic, or cultural differences.
“This training will also encourage positive and constructive engagement with national issues, differentiating it from divisive or violent dissent.
“Also, the training is to orientate Nigerians to foster trust between the government and citizens, by focusing on the government’s role in serving the people.”
Also speaking, Mrs Sherifat Adegbesan, the special assistant to the agency’s director-general on Intergovernmental Affairs, said the training would further enable the participants to carry out their duties diligently.
Adegbesan, a facilitator, said when they carried out their duties on a daily basis, they would abide by the national value charter, which would help them build the Nigeria of their dreams.
“What we are doing today is giving them the orientation and understanding of what the national value charter is about.
“This is not about the NOA project, it is a 2024 Federal executive council approved national value strategy.
“This project will involve institutions such as the military, paramilitary, and MDAs.”
Adegbesan said Nigerians needed orientation and reorientation to reduce incidences or stigmatisation of inmates or ex convicts, when integrated into the society.
“I believe it starts with the officers themselves, once they are here in the training they get the skills required.
“The good thing is that this training is not just for the officers, we will be coming back to train the inmates on skills and how to integrate them into the society.
“We will also be working with other MDAs and CSOs to see how we can integrate them into the society. In the long run, we really want to build a Nigeria of our dreams,” she said.
Also Speaking, Mr Kolawole Olatunde, Commandant of the Nigeria Correctional Service Training School, Kirikiri Lagos, said the training enlightened the participants on government policies and orientation.
Olatunde, who is also the Comptroller of Correctional Centre in Kirikiri, said the 500 participants had shown that they understood the training.
Olatunde urged the participants to extend the training to their various institutions and commands. (NAN)
