NOA advocates compulsory Nationalism Studies in Schools
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) is advocating the introduction of Nationalism Studies as a compulsory subject in secondary and primary schools.
Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, Director-General (DG) of NOA made the disclosure at a press briefing on Wednesday in Lafia, Nasarawa State during his one-day working visit to the State.
Issa-Onilu explained that the need to introduce the nationalism studies in schools became imperative in order to catch the children young and teach them the value system needed to make the country greater.
The DG explained that the agency has finished developing the value charter and submitted the final draft to Minister of Information and National Orientation in January 2024.
He added that President Bola Tinubu will unveil the value charter which contains the national values system that would guide the conduct of Nigerians.
“After the unveiling by the President, all others processes that will make the charter become part of the lives of Nigerians will become operational.
“We will thereafter work with the Centre of Educational Development which is responsible for developing the curriculum to make it a course of study and introduce it in schools as Nationalism Studies,” he added.
The DG also said that the agency is coming up with so many programmes aimed at reorienting Nigerians especially children in order to inculcate in them the spirit of nationalism.
He added that they will also introduce Citizens Brigade in Primary Schools across the country.
He explained that those engaged in the citizens brigade would be putting the national values into practice.
NOA Boss also said that the agency was working toward including local content in the cartoons the children watch on the television.
“We are working with other partners to get people that can develop cartoon characters to create the local content ,” he added.
The NOA boss also said that they are also working toward launching a mobile app ‘mobilisers’ to enable the citizens reports any security threat in their areas for onward action.
On the japa syndrome, Mallam Issa-Onilu said that there is nothing wrong with relocating to where one thinks his or her economic interest would be better protected.
“Even within the country, people from the North are found doing business in the southern part of the country and vise versa.
“As people are leaving the country, citizens of other countries are also coming in, with a lot of them applying for the citizenship of Nigeria,” he said.
Issa-Onilu however, warned that Nigerians should not leave the country for emotional reasons because the country is doing great and that challenges there are challenges everywhere.
He said that economic right is freely given, but, explained that japa that is not good is the one that is driven by hunger.
“So many people were already making it here in Nigeria, but for emotional reasons decided to relocate to other countries and that is a bad reason to japa,” he added.
