The National Orientation Agency (NOA), Ebonyi office has called for urgent renewal of the campaign on behavioural change among citizens in the efforts to achieve a new Nigeria.
The Agency made the call on Tuesday in Abakaliki at the occasion marking the end of their 2023 activities in the state and celebration of their two officers, Mr Titus Chima and Mr Eluu Okwa, who retired from service.
Mr Mathew Odono, NOA’s Director in Ebonyi stressed the need to continue the gospel of upholding national values and peaceful coexistence, pointing out that Nigeria is on the move to greatness.
“Our major concern is Core-values and peaceful coexistence among citizens. Social engineering is a continuum, is not something that you touch and you leave it.
“I charge our retirees to continue to remain ambassadors of the Agency and to the officers, who are still in service not to relent, take what we have done to the hinterland.
“Interface with the traditional rulers, town union president, youth leaders and religious leaders in the community,” Odono advised.
Dr Emma Abba, Pioneer Director of the Agency in the state said that restoring such campaign on behavioural change would go a long way in upholding the nation’s core-values.
Abba, a retiree and Special Guests to the occasion, further called for the need to bring back the dignity in labour in nation building.
“I have retired but not tired. Retirement is just a time to rest after meritorious service. My advice to those in service is to uphold those national values.
“Be patriotic, restore selfless service to the country; bring back the dignity in labour and renew that desire for behavioural change; these are what the nation needs to advance in all sectors,” he stated.
On life after service, he described it as “sweet” and thanked God for nature and how He has been sparing him.
“If I would like to return back to service, yes, because NOA is where I belong, I like active service and leaving the place is like missing the road.
“Right now, I am still doing community service, community development and social-mobilisation. See, I retired and not tired to work,” he added.
Mr Titus Chima, one of the Retirees, thanked NOA staff for celebrating them and urged them to keep the flag flying in community development.