By Stephen Adeleye.
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) and other stakeholders on Friday, called for collective action and active participation from all Nigerians in addressing five critical issues that are central to nation’s well-being, unity and development.
The Director General of NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu and the stakeholders made the call in Lokoja, at a town hall engagement meeting to on security awareness and campaign against get-rich-quick syndrome.
Issa-Onilu pointed out that the nationwide campaign was to mobilise Nigerians to unite with the Agency in its commitment to addressing the pressing issues and fostering a more informed, secure, and ethical society.
According to him, the challenges before us require collective action and active participation from all Nigerians.
Issa-Onilu, who was represented by the Acting State Director of NOA, Kogi Directorate, Patrick Edogbanya, called for collective action and active participation from all Nigerians to tackle the critical issues affecting nation unity and development.
He implored the youths to shun ‘get-rich-quick syndrome’ by rejecting shortcuts to wealth and embrace integrity, hard work, and the opportunities provided through government initiatives to make life better for them.
He noted that NOA had since the beginning of December embarked on nationwide sensitization against the get-rich-quick syndrome, through press conference, town hall meeting, roadshow, advocacy and school visits.
The NOA DG emphasised that the tendency to resort to criminal in acquiring ill gotten wealth to impress others would be heightened this Yuletide season, hence the need for the campaign.
He pointed out that all the four Nigeria Tax Reforms bills were designed to ease the burden on hardworking Nigerians, and urged the citizens to support the bills.
“By supporting this effort, we can create a tax system that works for all and funds the development projects that will improve our nation,” he said.
Issa-Onilu added that the campaign would also compliments the efforts being made by relevant health authorities which coincides with the World HIV/AIDS Day.
He reiterated stressed government’s commitment to strengthening security architecture through better equipment, training, and increased funding for security agencies.
He enjoined citizens to recognize and uphold their civic responsibilities, saying, “efforts can only be successful when citizens stand for justice, respect the rights of others, and report violations to the appropriate authorities.
“This campaign represents more than government initiatives—it is a call to action for every Nigerian to join hands in addressing these five critical issues.
“Together, we must create a society that is healthy, secure, ethical, and united in purpose”.
He, therefore solicited the support of all stakeholders such as the traditional leaders, religious institutions, security agencies, civil society organizations, and educational institutions to amplify these messages and extend their reach.
In their various goodwill messages, the stakeholders commended NOA for embarking on the sensitisation campaign at this critical time, and promised their full support for agency to achieve its goals.
The stakeholders stressed the need for parents to take full responsibility for their wards upbringing in order to have a safe and peaceful society at large.
The Police Commissioner, Kogi Command, CP Bethrand Onuoha, who was represented by the PPRO, SP Williams Aya, noted that the get-rich-quick syndrome was spreading like a wild fire especially among teenagers.
“We must just forces together to fight this degraded value system in our society which can affect the future of our nation. Parents must pay serious attention to the activities of their children because charity begins at home,” he said
Onuoha assured the commitment of the Nigerian Police to continue to collaborate with NOA and other stakeholders in fighting the menace of crime in the society.
Also speaking, the Commander, 12 Brigade Nigerian Army, Lokoja, Brig. Gen. Oluremi Fadairo, decried the alarming rise of the “get-rich-quick” syndrome, which undermines the values of hard work, integrity, and patriotism.
The Commander, who was represented by Lt. Masud Rumu, said the trend was not only detrimental to individual development but also poses serious risks to our collective security as a nation.
“The Nigerian Army, as a custodian of national security, recognizes the importance of collaboration with agencies like the NOA in addressing such societal challenges.
“Security is not solely the responsibility of the armed forces or law enforcement agencies—it is a collective effort that requires the active participation of every Nigerian.
“In line with the Chief of Army Staff’s Command Philosophy of “To Transform the Nigerian Army into a Well-Trained, Equipped, and Highly Motivated Force Towards Achieving its Constitutional Responsibilities within a Joint Environment,” the Nigerian Army remains committed to addressing security challenges holistically,”
“By addressing this issue, we can inspire our youth to embrace the values of diligence, honesty, and patriotism, which are essential for national development.
“Let us use this platform to engage in constructive dialogue, share ideas, and commit to actionable steps that will curb the get-rich-quick syndrome.
“Together, we can build a society where hard work is celebrated, and security consciousness is part of our daily lives,” he said.
On his part, Andrew Yenok from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), said the get-rich-quick syndrome is a pervasive problem that requires a comprehensive solution.
According to him, a re-orientation against this syndrome involves a multifaceted approach that promotes financial literacy, value-based education, community engagement, media literacy, and institutional support.
“By working together, we can create a more sustainable and equitable society where individuals prioritize long-term growth and development over short-term gains,” Yenok said.
Earlier, Pastor Augustine Ogbonnikan, the Head of Programme, NOA, Kogi Directorate, who presented a paper on “an Overview of the Get Rich Quick Syndrome” described it as “an irrational excessive and inordinate desire to acquire money and riches overnight”
He said the sensitization campaign was aimed at addressing an attitude that involves the acquisition of large sums of money quickly and unexpectedly through unwholesome activities that are alien to society.
Ogbonnikan urged the stakeholders to support the campaign and work together with NOA to achieve the goal of bringing Nigeria back to the right track could be proud of.
“Our youths must understand that the legal means of wealth acquisition is through hard work, determination, dedication, and resourcefulness.
“I urge the youths to embrace entrepreneurship and skills acquisition so as to be independent and avoid social malpractices.
“Parents should give their wards adequate training so as to divert their minds from quick wealth syndrome. Also, parents should monitor the kinds of friends their wards associate with.
“The authorities and security agencies should work together to stop ritual killings in the country. This can be done with the rebuilding of the educational and industrial sectors to address unemployment,” Ogbonnikan said.
Other stakeholders at the event included: the ICPC, DSS, NSCDC, FRSC, NGOs, CSOs, Religious and Traditional leaders, Legal Aid Council, NYSC, Youth & Women groups, Ministries of Information and Communication; Women Affairs and Social Development, among others.
