Zambia to Adopt NOA’s National Values Charter for National Reorientation

Zambia to Adopt NOA’s National Values Charter for National Reorientation

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

The Zambian government has expressed its intention to adopt Nigeria’s National Orientation Agency (NOA) National Values Charter as part of its own national reorientation efforts.

The announcement came after a productive second meeting between NOA officials, led by the agency’s Director General, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, and representatives from the Zambian High Commission in Nigeria, headed by Deputy High Commissioner Jenipher Mutembo.

The meeting, held at the NOA headquarters in Abuja, was a pivotal moment in fostering cross-border collaboration between the two countries in the fields of civic education, national values promotion, and grassroots mobilization.
NOA’s Operational Success
Issa-Onilu, in his address to the Zambian delegation, provided an insightful overview of the NOA’s national reach, noting that the agency operates 818 offices across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas, its 36 states, and the Federal Capital Territory.

“It is my pleasure to welcome you to the premises of the National Orientation Agency. The Agency is one of the largest in Nigeria, deeply rooted at the grassroots level, and remains a vital communication channel between the government and the people,” Issa-Onilu remarked.

He explained that the NOA plays a critical role in bridging the gap between government policies and the citizens, offering a platform to communicate national projects and programs, while also collecting feedback from the grassroots to inform governance decisions.

Issa-Onilu shared his hopes for broader African collaboration, noting that his recent experience with the Gambian High Commissioner in London revealed potential for greater continental partnership in the area of civic education and national reorientation.

“We have seen that there is immense potential for cross-border cooperation in these areas. I am hopeful that Zambia will join us in advancing these initiatives and exchange best practices,” he added.

The NOA Director General also took the opportunity to address what he referred to as a “narrow perception of leadership” in Africa, where leadership is often viewed through the lens of political figures alone. He stressed the importance of including civil, traditional, and moral leaders in shaping national values, which can contribute to more cohesive and inclusive societal development.

In her remarks, Zambian Deputy High Commissioner Mrs. Jenipher Mutembo expressed her admiration for the NOA’s widespread presence and its impact on national development. She particularly emphasized the power of the agency’s grassroots structure and how Zambia could learn from Nigeria’s approach.

“I must commend your presence in all local government areas. This grassroots model is powerful, and we see its potential as a framework that other African countries, including Zambia, can learn from,” Mutembo stated.

She also highlighted the shared African values between Zambia and Nigeria, stressing the importance of using cultural diplomacy and media to promote unity and national pride. Specifically, she pointed to Nigeria’s cultural exports, such as Nollywood films, which significantly influence young people across the continent.

“Our young people are watching these films. They are learning, forming ideas, and creating perceptions about success, morality, and identity. We have a duty to ensure that the content reaching the public inspires unity, innovation, dignity, and pride in African heritage,” she said.

However, she did raise concerns about the dominant themes of rituals, occultism, and superstition prevalent in many Nollywood productions, which, according to her, could contribute to negative perceptions, especially among the youth in Zambia.

Mutembo concluded her remarks by underscoring Zambia’s interest in formalizing technical cooperation between the two countries, particularly in areas of civic education, cultural diplomacy, and media content exchange.

She also acknowledged that Nigeria’s investment in structured national orientation could serve as a model for Zambia’s own development strategy, particularly in fostering public participation in governance and responsible citizenship.

“Zambia is actively seeking models that can support our sustainable development goals, and we believe that Nigeria’s experience with national orientation can serve as a valuable reference point for us,” she concluded.

The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of the mutual commitment to strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries, particularly in the realm of national values reorientation. The Zambian government’s interest in the NOA’s approach to national development suggests that Zambia is poised to adopt a more structured framework for civic education and public participation, inspired by Nigeria’s successful model.