By Stephen Adeleye.
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has called on Nigerian youths to reject all forms of violence and drug abuse, emphasizing that they are the pride of the nation and the hope for a better future.
The Director General of NOA, Lanre Issa-Onilu, made this appeal in Lokoja , during the North Central Zonal Campus Debate Series 2025, themed “Unity in Diversity: Defining Nigerian Identity in a Multicultural Society.”
The debate series, brings together students from various institutions across the country to engage in intellectual discussions and promote unity, patriotism, and national identity.
Issa-Onilu, represented by North Central Zonal Director, Dr Priscilla Gondoalour, said the debate series is not merely a competition but a strategic platform for civic engagement.
He urged youths to shun violence, drug abuse, and hooliganism, and instead uphold values that promote unity and patriotism.
“The debate series has a three-tier format, with institutions across the 36 states and FCT submitting video entries that are screened based on evaluative criteria.
“The winning institutions advance to the national stage, which will take place in Abuja during Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary celebrations,” he said.
“The final will be hosted at the Presidential Villa, where President Bola Tinubu will unveil the National Value Charter that enable the voices of the youths to be celebrated,” he said.
Issa-Onilu emphasised that NOA has developed new platforms “to ensure that youths’ voices are heard, and the agency is committed to promoting unity and diversity across the nation”.
He commended the NOA zonal and state directors, staff, facilitators, and stakeholders for making the debate series nationwide and enabling the platform for Nigerian youths to thrive.
Earlier, the Kogi State NOA Director, Mr Patrick Edogbanya, commended students, lecturers, rulers, and organizations for active engagement in Agency initiatives.
“The campus debate series is a testament to NOA’s dedication to empowering youths and fostering a sense of national identity,”he said.
In their respective goodwill messages, the Chairman Jama’atu Nasiru Islam (JNI), Amb. Usman Bello; the Estu Adankolo, Chief David Agbayi, along with several Deans from various universities, lauded the initiative.
They praised NOA for its unwavering commitment and innovative strategies aimed at fostering unity in diversity throughout the country.
The winner of the competition, Miss Gift Adejoh, from Federal University Lokoja, was awarded a certificate for her outstanding performance.
Adejoh commended NOA for the initiative, saying it would go a long way to help the Nigerian youth to uphold values that promote unity and patriotism.
