By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives has moved to increase the funding of the National Orientation Agency to enhance its service delivery.
The House also urged the Federal government to review the budgetary allocation of the National Orientation Agency in line with current realities in subsequent budget estimates to enable successful re-orientation of citizens.
The lawmakers also charged the NOA to increase visibility across all media platforms and put out more engaging content that will project Federal Government policies to the people and also expose the citizens to government initiatives that can be beneficial to them.
This resolution was sequel to the adoption of a motion on the “Need to review the budgetary allocation of the National Orientation Agency of Nigeria for improved citizens orientation”, by Rep. Adewale Hameed, member representing Agege Federal Constituency of Lagos State, on Tuesday at plenary.
Debating the motion, Rep. Hameed noted the NOA plays an important role in the
re-orientation of citizens on national values, promoting the spirit of unity and patriotism.
According to him, the agency is inadequately funded, even as he noted that more need to be done to empower NOA to discharge its services effectively to Nigerians.
He said, “The House is aware that the budgetary allocation for the agency in the Appropriation Act, 2024 is N8, 819, 470, 967.
“The House is concerned that the existing funding provided for the agency is grossly inadequate to meet the extensive responsibilities of the agency and its offices across the nation.
“We are concerned that given the prevailing trend of youth restiveness and social vices in the nation, there is definitely an urgent need to implement measures for effective re-orientation of citizens to curb vices, re-orient the people and encourage growth within our society.”
Hameed further emphasised that the state of restiveness across the country coupled with many social vices, calls for urgent measures for effective re-orientation to curb these vices and promote societal growth.
The House adopted the motion and urged the NOA to partner with stakeholders including Ministries, Departments and Agencies, traditional institutions, religious bodies community leaders and the media, among others.
The House further mandated the House Committees on Information, National Orientation, Ethics and Values to conduct
a thorough oversight and recommend appropriate measures that will enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the agency for improved service delivery and report back in four weeks for further legislative action.