NIPR ADVOCATES MORE FUNDING FOR NOA

Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, NIPR, has urged the Federal Government to fund the National Orientation Agency, NOA, now that the country was facing multi-faceted challenges that are testing the fabrics of the society, which requires not only the understanding of the citizenry but also it's active participation in the process of surmounting the challenges.

NIPR said the picture painted by the former Director-General of NOA, Alhaji Idi Faruk, during the handing over ceremony to his successor, Mr. Mike Omeri, was not a rosy one for an outfit expected to play the role of mass mobilisation.

In a statement signed on behalf of the President of the association, Alhaji Mohammed Abdullahi, by a member of the Governing Council, Alhaji Mukhtar Zubairu-Sirajo, said: ''NIPR has followed with keen interest the change of guards at NOA, and notes that at times like these, it should, as of necessity, be mobilised and supported to play the leading and crucial role of galvanising and re-awakening our people.'

''With the kind of situation on ground, even a genius would be at his wits end. To expect an extra-ordinary performance in that kind of situation would be asking for too much.

''It is, therefore, imperative that government takes a critical look at NOA with a view to radically improving on the support that goes to it so that an enabling environment is provided for the agency and its staff to muster and give us their best.

''The agency should be given a prime of place in the scheme of things. Such support and encouragement must, however, go beyond mere rhetorical policy statements.'