CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.0 Background of the Study
The NOA is a
federal government agency under the Federal Ministry of Information, which is headed
by a Director General. The agency is vested with the mandate to execute the
functions of orientating and re-orientating the Nigerian populace on
a wide number of issues which engenders Nation building and beyond; such issues
relating to Economic, Social, Political, and Environmental, Psychological etc.
The National Orientation Agency of Nigeria is the agency with the
mandate of disseminating government policy, collating public opinion, and
fostering national unity, patriotism, and the development of Nigerian
society. The agency’s motto is “Do the right thing: transform Nigeria.”
The specific objectives of the agency were defined in Decree 100 of 1993. The
National Orientation Agency has successively handled matters involving health,
cooperation with non-governmental organizations, and prevention
of electoral violence. The NATIONAL ORIENTATION AGENCY ACT;(1993) is an
Act which stipulates the establishment of the National Orientation Agency with
the responsibility to re-orientate and motivate Nigerians to participate
actively and freely in discussions and decisions that affect their
collective and general welfare and for other matters connected therewith.
Consequently, the specified functions
of the agency include the
1.
Informing
and educating the general public on Government programmes, policies, and
activities;
2.
Engendering
favorable opinion and support for
Government policies, programmes and activities from the public;
3.
The
collating, analyzing and providing feedback on policies, programme and
activities of the government from the public;
4.
Exposing
Nigerians to democratic values and norms through the Establishment of social
institutions and framework for a disciplined, progressive, virile, peaceful,
and united society.
5.
Stimulate
the sense of consciousness of all of Nigerians on their legitimate privileges,
rights, and obligations as citizens of Nigeria;
6.
Stimulate and engender the spirit of dignity of labour, commitment and
honesty to the qualitative promotion, production and consumption of locally
produced products and services;
7.
Re-orientate
Nigerians on the issue of power, its use and the effective role of Government
in serving the collective interest of the people of Nigeria;
8.
Inculcate
the sense of responsibility to eschew all vices such as corruption, dishonesty,
electoral and census malpractice, ethnic parochial and religious bigotry in
public life;
9.
Mobilize
the people of Nigeria to identify and exercise positive patriotic participation
in national issues and affairs and, inform, mobilize and engage all Nigerians tofight
against all forms of internal and external domination of resources by a few
individuals or groups. NATIONAL ORIENTATION AGENCY ACT (1993)
1.2
Statement of the Problem
The National Orientation Agency is vested
with lofty objectives which consist of the need to ensure that Federal
Government programmes and policies are accepted and understood by the general
public; engender favorable opinions from the public for government policies and
programmes; enhance informal education , public enlightenment activities and
publication; motivate the public for feedback on all aspect of national issues
to the Federal Government educating, orientating and indoctrinating Nigerians
on socially desirable , values, attitude and culture in other to project Nigeria’s
positive image; Inculcate in Nigerians the spirit of nationalism,
self-discipline, patriotism, and self-reliance; Develop the attitude of
Nigerians to their civic obligation of promoting national unity, human rights
and to build a just, free and progressive society; Motivate Nigerians to
participate actively and freely in all national issues and matters which affect
their wellbeing and general welfare; Develop in Nigerians the positive
;attitudes and culture for the attainment of ;national unity, discipline and
the goals and objectives of a united Nigeria; Inculcate in Nigerians the ;sense
of nationalism and leadership ; and foster respect for constituted authority.
NATIONAL ORIENTATION AGENCY ACT (1993). However, the agency has been under
strong criticism of being unable tofulfill its statutory objectives in view of
the security and other social vices confronting the nation in recent times. Consequently,
the problem confronting the research is to appraise the National Orientation
Agency: an effective tool to social and political development of Nigeria.
1.3 Objectives
of the Study
To appraise the performance and relevance of
the National Orientation Agency as an effective tool to social and political
development of Nigeria
1.4 Research
Questions
What is the role of the National orientation
Agency towards achieving social and political development in Nigeria?
1.5 Significance
of the Study
The research shall re-invigorate the need for
the National orientation Agency to respond to call of Nigerians to live up to
its statutory obligation towards enhancing social and political development in
Nigeria.
1.6 Research
Hypothesis
Ho NOA impact on social and political
development in Nigeria is low
Hi NOA impact on social and political
development in Nigeria is high
1.7
Scope of the Study
The study focuses on the appraisal of the
National Orientation Agency as an effective tool to social and political
development of Nigeria
1.8
Limitations of the Study
The research was confronted by logistics
constraint and geographical factors.
1.9 Definition of Terms
NOA DEFINED
The National Orientation Agency of Nigeria is
the agency with the mandate of communicating government policy, collating
public opinion, and fostering national unity and the development of Nigerian
society. The NOA is a federal government agency under the Federal Ministry of
Information, which is headed by a Director General. The agency is vested with
the mandate to execute the functions of orientating and re-orientating the
Nigerian populace on a wide number of issues which engenders Nation building
and beyond; such issues relating to Economic, Social, Political, and
Environmental, Psychological etc.
NOA ACT DEFINED
NATIONAL ORIENTATION AGENCY ACT;(1993) IS An
Act which stipulates the establishment of the National Orientation Agency with
the responsibility to re-orientate and motivate; Nigerians to participate
actively and freely in discussions and decisions that; affect their collective
and general welfare and for other matters connected therewith.