EVENTS
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) says the Federal Government will soon introduce Citizenship Studies as core subjects at all levels of education in Nigeria.
The Director-General of NOA, Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu, disclosed this at a Town Hall Meeting with Stakeholders on Saturday in Lokoja as part of his 2-day working visit to Kogi.
Issa-Onilu said that it was imperative to interact with stakeholders on government policies, programmes and activities as part of the mandate given to NOA by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He said the introduction of citizenship study into the country’s school education system was necessary to help inculcate the right values and characters into every Nigeria’s child.
“The Federal Government will soon introduce Citizenship Studies in all levels of education in Nigeria–primary, secondary and tertiary education–where our children will undertake them as compulsory subjects and courses.
“This will enable them to learn the right values and characters and how to be a good Nigerian and make the country proud anywhere they go.
“This is to inculcate the right values in children so that when they grow up and get into the society, they would live their lives in a way that the parents, the society, and the country will be proud of them.
“So, this will happen soon; and we are starting this year with 37,000 Citizenship Brigades, 1,000 per state in primary school and secondary schools.’’
Issa-Onilu said that the country would be codifying its values through the National Values Charter being spearheaded by the agency.
He said that the Values Charter was not anything new as all communities and ethnic nationalities held strongly to their values but regretted that Nigeria did not put any value system in place.
The director-general emphasised that values would only be appreciated when they were kept and made sacrosanct, promoted and nurtured by the people.
According to him, at present, no one can give a definite answer of who is a Nigerian in terms of values and characters.
“A proper Nigerian cannot be kidnapper, bandit, get to government and become a thief; stealing government resources, promoting corruption and bringing hardship to the people.
“A proper Nigerian is the one that becomes a governor and do the right things; provides infrastructures, creates employment, promotes peace and stability in the state.
“That’s who a good Nigerian is; a good Nigerian is the president that will come and promote prosperity, ensure unity and there is no nepotism.
“So, we need to work and collaborate together as stakeholders’ to ensure that we improve our values as a country,” he said.
The director-general commended the stakeholders for always being ever-supportive and dependable in working with NOA to move Nigeria forward.
Earlier, the acting State Director of NOA, Kogi Directorate, Mr Patrick Edogbanya, said the meeting provided the rare opportunity to rub minds with stakeholders towards finding a lasting solution to some of the country’s surmountable challenges.
According to him, the stakeholders include religious and traditional leaders, civil society organisations (CSOs) women and youth groups, media organizations, retired state directors of NOA, among others.
NAN reports that the stakeholders in their various comments, urged NOA to impress on the Federal Government to urgently reduce petroleum pump price to alleviate the suffering of the people.
The representative of the Council of Ulama’u, Malam Zakariya Aliyu, called for the re-introduction of Religious Studies which should be made compulsory at all levels of education
Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has described the late Chief Oludolapo Ibukun Akinkugbe as an icon, hero, ardent patriot and one of God’s special gifts to Nigeria.
Late Akinkugbe, whose passing was announced on Monday at age 96, was the senior brother of late Professor Ladipo Akinkugbe, a bosom friend of the former President who passed on to eternal glory in 2020 at 87.
In a condolence message made available to newsmen by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi on Monday, Obasanjo said, “his demise got to me with the feeling of a sense of personal loss as he was the elder brother of my late bosom friend, Professor Ladipo Akinkugbe, who passed on to eternal glory in 2020 at 87 and whose life and path intertwined with mine in many respects.”
According to Obasanjo, “Chief Olu Akinkugbe was an icon and a hero in the true sense of these words. We thank God for his illustrious life of exemplary leadership, ardent patriotism and life-long devotion to the cause of upholding the highest standards of conduct in his business endeavours and within our society.”
Obasanjo remarked that, Chief Akinkugbe was one of God’s special gifts to the nation and lived an enviable, rich and fruitful life which many aspire to emulate and pray to attain.
“His contribution in the area of pharmacology in Nigeria is legendary. He made a great change in the country’s crucial health sector in different capacities. He was the pioneer General-Secretary of the defunct Nigerian Union of Pharmacists (NUP) and brought international recognition to the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) when he was invited to serve on the Council of the Commonwealth Pharmaceutical Association (CPA).
EVENTS
IKEMBARA YOUTHS FORUM (I.Y.F) CONGRATULATES EZE-ELECT AGIM FRANCIS CHIDOZIE ON HIS SUCCESSFUL VICTORY AT THE EZESHIP POLL
The Ikembara Youths Forum (I.Y.F) joyfully congratulates Eze-Elect Agim Francis Chidozie on his resounding victory at the just concluded Ezeship poll held on Saturday, 20th September 2025, in Ikembara Autonomous Community of Ikeduru Local Government Area, Imo State.
Your emergence as the Eze-elect is not only a victory for you as an individual but also a triumph for every son and daughter of Ikembara, especially the youths who see in your leadership an opportunity for inclusiveness, progress, and transformation. The youth community is confident that under your reign, our voices will be heard, our potentials will be harnessed, and our dreams for a greater Ikembara will be realized.
We commend your commitment to unity, peace, and development, values which align strongly with the aspirations of the younger generation. This victory signals a new dawn for our community—a dawn of renewed hope, cultural pride, and forward-looking leadership.
The Ikembara Youths Forum also appreciates the resilience of our people who participated peacefully and responsibly in the Ezeship exercise. Their show of maturity has given further credence to the fact that Ikembara is a community guided by wisdom, order, and collective will.
On behalf of the entire youths of Ikembara, we once again congratulate you, Agim Francis Chidozie, and pledge our unalloyed support and cooperation as you prepare to ascend the throne of our forefathers. May your reign bring peace, progress, and endless opportunities to our land.
Long live Ikembara! Long live our Youths! Long live our new Eze-elect!
Signed:
Comr. Izuchukwu Ohanyere
Secretary, Ikembara Youths Forum (I.Y.F)
Hon. Uche Frances Obi
President, Ikembara Youths Forum (I.Y.F)
EVENTS
NUJ HAILS GOV UZODIMMA FOR PROMOTING RELIGIOUS TOURISM THROUGH PILGRIMAGE SUPPORT FOR CHRISTIAN JOURNALISTS, OTHERS TO ISREAL.
By Prince Uwalaka Chimaroke
21- SEPT -2025
The Vice President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), South East Zone, Comrade Eze Adiukwu, has applauded the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, for his magnanimous gesture in sponsoring more than 1,000 Christians, including 20 practicing journalists, to the 2025 Easter pilgrimage in Israel.
In a statement released by Comrade Adiukwu, the union described the sponsorship as a clear demonstration of the Governor’s unwavering commitment to strengthening religious tourism and uplifting the spiritual wellbeing of Imo people, particularly members of the Christian community.
The NUJ emphasized that Governor Uzodimma has consistently exhibited fairness in matters of faith. The body noted that his earlier support for Muslim pilgrims during the 2025 Hajj was another proof of his dedication to interfaith harmony, inclusiveness, and peaceful coexistence. According to the NUJ, the Governor’s actions reflect the qualities of a detribalized leader who accommodates all religions without bias or discrimination.
Comrade Adiukwu further urged other state governors across the federation to borrow a leaf from Uzodimma’s example by making similar investments in religious pilgrimages. He stressed that spiritual journeys to sacred sites play a vital role in enriching the faith of citizens and deepening communal values.
This year’s initiative is not the first of its kind. In 2023, Governor Uzodimma equally sponsored over 1,000 Christians, including journalists, to Israel and was nationally recognized for being the state leader with the highest number of sponsored pilgrims. That milestone, the NUJ noted, cemented his reputation as a strong supporter of faith-based tourism.
The union also commended the Imo State Government for providing critical infrastructure such as night landing facilities at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, which enhanced the safe and seamless airlift of Muslim pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.
The NUJ described the latest sponsorship as a “transformative opportunity” for participants, adding that it will not only strengthen their faith but also leave lasting memories of spiritual renewal. “We are truly grateful that the Governor has once again opened the door for Christians in Imo to experience this life-changing encounter in the holy land,” the statement concluded.
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