By Stephen Adeleye.
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has urged religious leaders, traditional rulers and other stakeholders to collaborate with the agency in combating kidnapping and other social vices plaguing the nation.
This call was made by Mr Patrick Edogbanya, Acting State Director of NOA’s Kogi Directorate, during a press conference and stakeholders’ meeting on the nationwide campaign for national cohesion, held at the agency’s office on Thursday in Lokoja.
Edogbanya, who was represented by Pst. Augustine Mayowa Ogbonnikan, Assistant Director and Head of Civic Values and Democracy Education, NOA, Kogi, emphasised the need for unity and cohesion to tackle these social vices.
He added that the campaign seeks public cooperation to create a safe society where citizens can live without fear.
The campaign, tagged: “Pathway to National Cohesion Unity and Development”, highlighted the alarming rate of kidnapping and banditry in the state.
According to him, as part of a nationwide campaign, the meeting brought together stakeholders to chart a pathway to eliminating these challenges and promoting national development.
He, therefore, urged authorities and security agencies to work together to stop the menace in the society, by rebuilding of the educational and industrial sector to address unemployment.
“Let us bring back our lost values:- discipline, hard work, duty of care, tolerance and respect, transparency and Nigeria will be great again,” Edogbanya said.
Ogbonnikan, in a paper presentation, attributed the issue to attitudinal problems and a lack of moral values.
He emphasised that the nation’s strength is built on the values and attitudes of its citizens, and called for collective action to address the challenge.
“The nationwide campaign seeks to foster unity and cohesion, eradicate social vices, and drive national development.
“By working together and bringing back lost values, Nigeria can regain its lost glory and ensure a brighter future for its citizens,” Ogbonnikan said.
Participants in their separate comments, stressed the importance of cooperation among all stakeholders, including parents, authorities, and security agencies, to rebuild the educational and industrial sectors.
They urged government to address unemployment, and restore lost values such as discipline, hard work, and respect.
The Etsu Adankolo, Chief David Agbayi, representing the Maigari of Lokoja, HRH Alhaji Ibrahim Gambo Kabiru IV, delivered a goodwill message.
The monarch pledged to engage with other traditional rulers in the state to disseminate the sensitization efforts to rural communities.
Chief Agbayi urged parents to intensify their efforts in raising their children with strong moral and religious values, aiming to reduce youth restiveness and social vices.
Additionally, he encouraged religious leaders to promote unity by focusing on inclusive and unifying themes, rather than divisive issues that might polarize the society.
The meeting also highlighted the vulnerability of Nigerian youths to these social vices, citing the desire for quick wealth and luxury as a major driver of crime.
Participants urged parents to provide adequate training and monitor their children’s associations to divert them from such activities.
The stakeholders at the event include: Traditional and religious leaders, security agencies, NGOs, women and youth groups, media organisations, students, among others..
