The transformational agenda of the Dr Goodluck Jonathan led federal government may have received a boost, when the National Orientation Agency(NOA) recently organized a road walk in Port Harcourt to sensitize the public on the need to do the right thing. The program which was said to have held simultaneously in all the 36 states of the federation, including Abuja was also used to mark the one year anniversary in office of the Director General of the Agency, Mr. Mike Omeri. Participants were seen carrying placards with different inscriptions such as , “be a patriotic citizen,” “ take your work serious and be on time,” “do the right thing and transform Nigeria,” etc.
Addressing journalists after the road walk, the Rivers State Director of NOA, Mr. Oliver Wolugbom said it is time for Nigerians to do the right thing and at the right time. He decried a situation where people hide under flimsy excuses, like African time to do the wrong thing. The NOA State Boss said it is only when things are done right that the transformational agenda of the Federal Government can succeed and make meaning. He disagreed with insinuations that the transformational agenda of the current federal govt is slow, noting that what the govt is doing now is building blocks for sustainable development.
Wolugbom said NOA in the State under his leadership will focus on the implementation of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act in 2013,regretting that Nigerians have not made use of the provisions of the said Act.
He further explained that the FOI law is not meant for the media alone, but for all citizens. He charged Nigerians to take advantage of the Act to hold public office holders accountable and by so doing ensure that the tax payers’ money is judiciously spent.
The NOA Director also said that his administration will in 2013 beam search light on examination malpractice, condemning a situation where some parents aid their wards to cheat in exams.
He equally said that NOA will try to arouse interest in the reading culture of Nigerians, which he said has almost collapsed.
Wolugbom urged the political leaders in Nigeria to be more transparent to attract better followership. He expressed optimism that when everybody starts doing the right thing, the country will be transformed and Nigeria will be better for it.##
Barth Ndu
