National
NOA says, it has responsibility to enlighten citizens on the mandates of the 3 arms of govt
The Nigerian legislature and its activities are most misunderstood among the three arms of government, the Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) Dr Garba Abari has indicated.
The Director General spoke at the Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Hallowmace Foundation Africa and Budgit on constituency projects tracking and Governance Accountability
Represented by his Special Assistant, Mr David Akoji, the director general disclosed that NOA has been working with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in tracking Constituency projects across the country.
He said the mandate of the National Orientation Agency which includes getting citizens to know and enlightened about government activities was broad enough, hence, the NOA was open to any willing partner that has the same bias with the agency.
He said: “The legislature is the least understood in all arms of government and as NOA, we owe responsibility to get citizens to understand what each arm of government is doing and how they are doing it and we have a liaison office at the National Assembly to track what is happening there.
“I have worked closely with the Hallowmace team, they are passionate about what they are doing. If you would understand why I and the Director General are passionate about it, then you will have to understand the mandate of the National Orientation Agency (NOA),
“The National Orientation Agency has a mandate to sensitize the public on government policies, programmes and activities which on this context refer to the three arms of government; the executive, the legislature and the judiciary.
“It also refer to the three levels of government, the Federal, the State and the Local Government. It is for this reason that the NOA is structured along that line in the 774 Local In the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and the headquarters here where we are seated at the moment.
“Our mandate is very broad and we are conscious of that fact and as a single agency of government, there is no way we can satisfactorily fulfill the mandate and we are always looking for value adding partnerships. Partnership that think the way we think; partnership that bring expertise to advance the work that we do at the National Orientation Agency. So it is not difficult for us to work together with Hallowmace.
“When the discussion started with Hallowmace and BudgiT that led to the partnership that we are about to sign the memorandum today, I was part of it and I discovered that it will indeed add value.
He further explained that the NOA in the course of tracking Constituency projects of lawmakers usually got the stakeholders in the community level involved to enable them take ownership of the projects.
“With regards to Constituency project tracking, the NOA had worked closely with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) especially on the issue of Constituency project tracking.
“This will leverage on our national footprint in all the Local Government and States of the Federation. This will leverage on our area of expertise in getting the people to be aware of Constituency project executed and we work closely with key stakeholders in the community and the whole idea is for community members to take ownership of Constituency projects and to appreciate what their representatives are doing through Constituency projects to protect the Constituency projects and to ensure value is delivered through those Constituency projects.
“So we have worked ICPC to develop jingles, visit the communities to talk to stakeholders.
“At the last National Legislative Conference, we got the Chairman of ICPC to present a keynote address which he honoured the invitation along other key Stakeholders.
“The foundation upon which we are doing all of these is properly strengthened and that it is not seen as Government working alone; and that there is a partnership; and that there is mutual understanding with a Non-governmental organisation and the legislature itself working towards the same goal.
We are excited than this is happening today. We know the background of BudgiT in the area of what we are doing today. Our involvement through Hallowmace in what BudgiT is doing will bring about mutual respect and understanding in all parties involved.
Responding, the founder of Hallowmace Foundation, Mr Anderson Osiebe thanked the Management of NOA for their understanding in what partnership was all about.
He lauded the virtues of Senator Biodun Olujimi and Hon. Ossai Ossai who were both present to witness the signing of partnership agreement.
He said there was need for the NOA and BudgiT to have accurate data of activities of parliamentarians, particularly their Constituency projects which the foundation would offer.
“Hallowmace started as Communication first as magazine and we felt, writing wasn’t enough, there was need to go into broadcasting by bringing lawmakers into the studio to tell the members of the public their own stories by themselves.
“After that we felt, it isn’t good enough for writing and broadcasting that there’s a need to have a forum even if it is once in a year to bring the parliamentarians and members of the public together to engage each other in form of question and answer which we are doing with the National Orientation Agency.
“Again, we saw the need to up our game to have a foundation and whatever is this foundation all about? “!It about going into parliamentary advocacy, budget and Constituency project tracking and having looked around, our members of the board said the best people to go into partnership with is the National Orientation Agency.
“That they will have accurate record of what to work with and also the BudgiT and we are quite happy that when we invited them to the last Legislative Conference they came.”
Young Nigerian writers have been urged to participate in the “Voices of Our Heritage” national writing competition, an initiative aimed at fostering creativity and cultural appreciation.
The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, who made the call said the competition is open to students aged 10-18, adding that it is seeking to discover and nurture emerging literary talents.
The special adviser to the minister on Media quoted her to have indicated that the initiative is targedted at empowering young writers to create, publish, and even earn from their digital books, promoting both entrepreneurship and job opportunities.
“This competition is about preserving our cultural heritage while shaping the future of our nation,” she stated.
Organized as part of the 2024-25 National Young Authors Fair (NYAF), the competition welcomes entries from primary, secondary, and university students. Registration closes on February 20, 2025, with submissions open until March 20, 2025.
Winners will be announced on April 10, 2025, with the top 10 receiving ₦250,000 each, along with book publication, national recognition, and distribution.
The competition aligns with the Ministry’s vision to promote cultural heritage, creativity, and education through strategic partnerships.
For registration, visit: https://www.yaf.bribooks.com/ng/2024/student.
***As 306 Stakeholders Participate in Inaugural AI Awareness Day
Nigeria has taken a bold step in the global Artificial Intelligence (AI) revolution as key stakeholders gathered to explore the nation’s role in AI-driven education and policy development.
The National Coordinator of the 2025 AI Awareness Day, Professor Emeritus Peter Okebukola, described the event as a major milestone, highlighting Nigeria’s potential to emerge as a leader in AI research, education, and application.
Held virtually on February 17, 2025, the inaugural AI Awareness Day in Higher Education was co-hosted by the Virtual Institute for Capacity Building in Higher Education (VICBHE), National Universities Commission (NUC), National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Okebukola Science Foundation (OSF), and the Association of African Universities (AAU).
The event brought together 306 participants, including heads of regulatory agencies (NUC, NBTE, and NCCE), scholars from universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, policymakers, educators, and AI practitioners.
Discussions focused on AI’s transformative role in higher education, best practices, and ethical AI deployment in Nigeria.
The event, chaired by Professor Yakubu Ochefu, former Secretary-General of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, centered on raising awareness about AI’s role in higher education transformation, assessing Nigeria’s progress in AI education and its contribution to global AI research and celebrating achievements in AI research and education within Nigerian institutions.
Other areas of focus included exploring the integration of AI into university curricula, research, and administration and discussing AI-driven innovations to address national educational challenges.
The event featured a symposium, the launch of the AI in Higher Education in Africa Newsletter, and the presentation of the three-volume Handbook on AI and Quality Higher Education.
One of the highlights of the event was the presentation of awards to recognise outstanding contributions in AI research, education, and policy within the Nigerian higher education system.
The first position in the Best Institutional AI Policy in Higher Education Award in the universities category was won by Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife. Second and third positions were won by Lagos State University, Ojo and Federal University of Technology, Minna respectively.
In the polytechnics category, the first prize went to Living Spring College of Technology and Innovation, Osogbo. For the Best AI Researcher in the universities category, Prof. Olatunji Sunday Olusanya of Adekunle Ajasin University came first. Dr. Salau Ayodeji of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti and Dr. Awotunde Joseph Bamidele of the University of Ilorin came second and third respectively.
For the polytechnics category, Mr. Mohammed Modiu of Yaba college of Technology came first. Mr. Salami Ayo of Federal College of Education, Iwo came first in the colleges of education category.
Other awards include the Best Programme in Artificial Intelligence. For the universities category, the B.Sc. Computer Science of Thomas Adewumi University came first. Programmes of four universities tied in the second position. These are B.Sc. Management Information Systems of Covenant University, Ota; B.Sc. Industrial Mathematics (Computer Option) also of Covenant University, Ota; and B.Sc. Computer Science of the University of Benin.
The first position in the universities category for the Best AI Application for Enhancing Teaching and Learning went to Prof. Onyenwe Ikechukwu Ekene of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. Five scholars tied in the second position. These are Dr. Oguntosin Victoria of Covenant University; Dr. Oluwakemi Olurinola of Olabisi Onabanjo University; Professor Busari Mutiu of Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta and Professor Ibezim Nnenna of University of Nigeria, Nsukka. In the polytechnic category, first prize went to Dr. Okikiola Folasade of Yaba College of Technology.
For the colleges of education category, first prize was earned by Dr. Usman Stephen of Ipere College of Education Agyaragu, Nasarawa State, while Mr. Bako Mahmud Malam of Adamu Tafawa Balewa College of Education Kangere Bauchi State came second.
Other awards were presented for Best AI Programme and Best AI Application for Teaching and Learning across universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
Key resolutions include expanding the AI Awareness Day to all levels of the educational system; development of a strategic plan to ensure that Nigeria plays a leadership role in the global development of AI; strengthening the implementation of the AU strategic plan on AI; and forging strong public-private partnerships, investing boldly in our people and infrastructure.
Others are that the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, NITDA, other agencies of government and other stakeholders should involve the National Association of Artificial Intelligence Practitioners (NAAIP) in policy making, implementation and other matters of Artificial Intelligence; and that within the 30% institutional allowance in the CCMAS, Nigerian universities should be encouraged to start GST courses on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) in place of or in addition to the existing computer appreciation courses.
The successful launch of the AI Awareness Day marks a turning point in Nigeria’s AI journey, reinforcing the country’s commitment to leveraging AI for educational excellence, innovation, and national development.
National
Diplomatic Fallout: Ribadu’s Outburst Sparks Criticism Over Nigeria’s Foreign Policy Approach
A fresh controversy has emerged over Nigeria’s handling of diplomatic affairs, as former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, takes aim at National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu for his public condemnation of Canada’s visa denials to Nigerian military personnel.
Lamido, a seasoned politician and former foreign minister, expressed frustration over what he described as a pattern of missteps in Nigeria’s foreign policy under the current administration. He argued that the NSA’s public outburst against Canada was both unnecessary and damaging to the country’s international reputation.
“This is yet another example of our rookie approach to foreign relations,” Lamido stated. “Rather than resorting to public accusations, the appropriate response would have been for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to summon the Canadian High Commissioner and address the issue through official diplomatic channels.”
The ex-governor warned that Ribadu’s actions had not only failed to resolve the issue but had also drawn unnecessary public attention to an embarrassing situation. “Our foreign relations must be handled with tact and professionalism. The NSA should not be taking over the responsibilities of the Minister of Foreign Affairs,” he said.
This latest episode comes amid broader concerns over Nigeria’s international standing, following strained relations within ECOWAS and a series of diplomatic missteps on the global stage. Analysts now worry that such uncoordinated responses could weaken Nigeria’s position in international affairs.
With Nigeria’s diplomatic credibility on the line, calls are growing for a more disciplined and strategic approach to engaging with foreign nations—one that prioritizes diplomacy over public confrontations.
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