FG TO DEPLOY ORIENTATION OFFICERS IN 774 LGAs
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On Wednesday, Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information, announced that the National Orientation Agency staff will soon be sent to 774 local government areas across the country by the Federal Government.
Idris bemoaned the fact that the majority of the nation’s information outposts are empty and stated that action is required to revive the flagging sense of national identity.
“The 774 LGAs are home to offices of the National Orientation Agency.” We are rebuilding that, but not all of the personnel who will staff these local government offices are present. Shortly after briefing President Bola Tinubu at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja, Idris told State House Correspondents, “We are going to put officers of the NOA around all the 774 LGAs.”
Idris observed that “the belief in the concept of nationhood and patriotism has broken down in this country. We’re trying to rebuild that, to reconstruct that.”
“Mr. President has given me a marching order to see that Nigerians believe in this country once again. We’re coming up with a national discourse on orientation or reorientation. So that Nigerians can believe in their country.
“People don’t even believe in leaders that they themselves have elected. Flags are not flying anymore. You go to government offices, you don’t even see the symbol of our collective existence, flying even in public buildings.
“We’re bringing back this concept of discipline that Nigerians should have. Patriotism. Belief in the nationhood that our founding fathers have given us. National orientation is going to be at the center of it,” the minister explained.
He declared that, in spite of the spread of false information on social media, the FG will not restrict Nigerians’ right to free speech.
Idris pointed out that despite worries about “gagging the media,” the FG is “looking at suggestions by the Nigerian Press Council to set up a registration scheme for journalists.”
He bemoaned the use of anti-national language by Nigerians on the internet, but he also made the case that having the right to free speech carries a heavy burden.
“That is a very delicate line to toe. While the government, Mr. President and all of us in that sector are committed to ensuring press freedom. That freedom comes with responsibility…there is no attempt by the government to gag the press,” Idris told journalists.
Addressing the plans by the Nigerian Press Council to register journalists as a way to sanitize the profession, the Minister said, “Well, that is being looked at; you know that Mr. President believes in press freedom. He believes in the freedom of expression, and he’s not going to gag the press in any way, shape or form.
“He’s going to work assiduously to ensure that the Nigerian press that has been free is even freer. But this freedom also comes with enormous responsibility.
“You can’t just say what is not right because you’re enjoying press freedom. There will be freedom, responsible freedom.”
On welfare for members of the Nigerian press in Nigeria, Idris said, “It is in the works. I have discussed that with Mr. President. He wants to see me come up with a roadmap for that.
“We are going to work on that and you will get definite answers in due course. I want this to be underscored: There is no attempt by the government to gag the press. We’re going to do whatever it takes that is responsible and accountable. Responsible journalism is the way to go.”
Idris assumed office on August 21, 2023. A day earlier, he concluded his maiden visit to the Nigerian Press Council where he said Nigerian journalists will “breathe and flourish” under the new administration.
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