War Against Corruption, Terrorism Not For Government Alone – Information Minister

Posted by African Examiner Latest Headlines, News Friday, November 20th, 2015

By Ganiyu Nasirudeen

Nigerians have been tasked to take possession of the “war against corruption”, as well as the “war against terrorism” so as to achieve the change promised by the present administration and achieve a new Nigeria.

Information and Culture Minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed gave the task Friday, during his meeting with the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and the Agency’s 37 State/FCT Directors at the Radio House in Abuja.

At the moment, Mohammed noted only the military component of the war on terror was going on very well, stating that the civilian component was missing.

The component, the Minister stated: “involves sensitizing Nigerians to realize that the Boko Haram war is their war, and that it is not just for the military. It involves making our people to realize that Boko Haram is not about religion. Therefore, it requires the NOA to show uncommon resourcefulness, to create catchy slogans, as well as write imaginative scripts and copies that will motivate and energize Nigerians”.

While restating the plan of his Ministry to launch a massive national reorientation campaign, Alhaji Mohammed specified that the agency would provide the missing link in the war against terrorism and the war on corruption with instruments such as catchy unity slogans, the like deployed during the late 60’s Nigerian civil war.

When it kicks off, the Minister indicated that the campaign would centre on the “fact that the change that we all seek will begin with each and everyone of us. Not only must Nigerians buy into the change agenda, they must own it and propagate it. The campaign we plan to run will aim to change the way we behave and our attitudes. We will let Nigerians know that they cannot be doing things the same way and expect a different result, and that the change they seek begins with them. That is the only way to achieve an enduring change, and the NOA will be required, in line with its mandate, to provide the content to be used by other platforms to drive the change agenda”.

On corruption, Alhaji Mohammed observed that to many Nigerians, the war “is being fought only by the President, the Vice President and perhaps the Ministers. It is time to let Nigerians know that it is their war, and that it must be won. Like President Muhammadu Buhari often says, if Nigeria does not kill corruption, corruption will kill Nigeria. The reality is that grim. Nigerians must take possession of the war against corruption, just like they must take possession of the war against terrorism”.

The Information Minister while restating that the Buhari’s Administration rode to office on the wings of the “Change Mantra”, pointed out that his special meeting with the NOA heads was at the instance of importance of the organization in the actualization of the Change agenda.

In effect, the FG’s Spokesman reiterated that the NOA would shoulder the bulk of the responsibility of propagating the change agenda, noting that, the agency appeared to have prepared for the responsibility, going by its Mission Statement, which states “To consistently raise awareness, provide timely and credible feedback; positively change attitudes, values and behaviours; accurately and adequately inform; and sufficiently mobilize citizens to act in ways that promote peace, harmony; and national development”.

Mohammed however declared that, the impending campaign would task the agency’s directors’ ingenuity, resourcefulness, competence and capacity, stressing that failure was not an option.