How NOA Is Driving Public Health, Civic Awareness In South-South

From the bustling city of Uyo in Akwa Ibom to the coastal communities of Bayelsa State and the urban centres of Edo State, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) is intensifying its grassroots campaigns to tackle public health crises, civic responsibility and national development.

The agency’s robust engagement across the South-South region in recent times is a striking reflection of its evolving role under the leadership of its director-general, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, not just as a government mouthpiece but a critical change agent for public awareness and social behaviour.
Amid growing health threats, extreme weather and civic challenges, the NOA has launched targeted sensitisation drives aimed at improving community resilience and strengthening national unity.

With rising temperatures sweeping through the South-South, the NOA Akwa Ibom State issued a public advisory urging residents to adopt lifestyle adjustments to mitigate the effects of the intense heat wave.
The state director of NOA, Mr Mkpoutom Mkpoutom, warned of life-threatening complications resulting from the soaring temperatures that are expected to persist for weeks.

“Residents should wear light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing and use hats, umbrellas or sunglasses when outside,” Mkpoutom advised, adding that hydration remains key at this crucial time.
He also cautioned against outdoor activities during peak-heat hours, especially between 1 and 4pm, calling for improved home ventilation.

More importantly, Mkpoutom urged communities to look out for vulnerable groups including children, the elderly and people living with disabilities (PLWDs).

“Never leave children or pets inside parked vehicles and ensure that the elderly and PLWDs stay cool and hydrated,” he said.

Mkpoutom also announced the rollout of an integrated public health awareness campaign targeting Lassa fever, cholera and cerebral spinal meningitis across all 31 local government areas of the state.
He called on parents and caregivers to ensure that children are vaccinated and adopt improved hand hygiene practices.

“This comprehensive public awareness effort underscores the importance of community education on rodent control, sustainable water, sanitation and hygiene practices,” he explained.
In Bayelsa State, NOA activated an emergency public health sensitisation drive recently following the confirmation of cholera outbreak by the state’s commissioner for Health, Prof Seiyefa Brisibe.

Acting state director of NOA, Mrs Grace Olobio, spearheaded the response, warning that contaminated water sources and poor sanitation were responsible for the outbreak.

“The signs and symptoms of cholera include diarrhea, dehydration, sunken eyes and vomiting,” Olobio said, urging residents to boil drinking water, practice regular handwashing and avoid eating raw or undercooked food.

Beyond health, NOA’s campaign scope has expanded to include pressing societal issues such as security consciousness, human rights awareness, tax reforms and the persistent problem of the get-rich-quick mentality.

In December 2024, the agency launched a nationwide sensitisation campaign covering the above critical areas.

At a town hall meeting in Asaba, the director-general of the agency, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, said the aim of the gathering was to build a more informed, ethical and secure society.

The DG, represented by the director of general services, Mrs Rebecca Nasamu, spoke on the theme, “Promoting Awareness, Ethical Values and National Development.

He noted that the current challenges before the nation require collective action and active participation from all citizens to gain breakthrough.

He particularly stressed the dangers of get-rich-quick syndrome, especially during festive seasons, lamenting that fraud and criminal shortcuts to wealth have led many young people down dangerous paths.

“Citizens must reject shortcuts to wealth and embrace integrity, hard work and the opportunities provided through government initiatives,” he stated.

Taxation has also been a focal area. During several press conferences across the region, including Yenagoa, Asaba and Port- Harcourt, NOA representatives clarified the objectives of the federal government’s ongoing tax reforms.

The agency clarified that the reforms, encapsulated in four proposed bills – the Nigeria Tax Bill, Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill – aim to eliminate double taxation, simplify tax processes and relieve low-income earners.

“These reforms are designed to ease the burden on hardworking Nigerians while ensuring that everyone contributes fairly,” Issa-Onilu said during one of the conferences, calling on citizens to engage constructively with the process.

Also, security consciousness remains a priority for the agency. In multiple engagements across the South-South, NOA officials have underscored the link between community vigilance and national stability.

“We are strengthening collaboration between law enforcement agencies and citizens, deploying technology and increasing funding for security forces,” Issa-Onilu said during a campaign in Yenagoa.

The agency urged citizens to report suspicious activities and take proactive steps in supporting security operations. “A secure society begins with enlightened citizens,” he emphasised.

One of NOA’s standout strategies has been its consistent engagement with local stakeholders. From religious institutions to traditional rulers, media practitioners to civil society organisations, the agency has built a broad coalition to amplify its messages.

The NOA director in Bayelsa, Dr. Edward Banigo, praised the media for its role in publicising the agency’s efforts.

“The media is indispensable in nation building,” he said, calling for even more robust partnerships to deepen public awareness.

Similarly, the Edo State director of NOA, Mr Osahon Woghiren, called for stakeholders’ support in ensuring the success of government reforms, especially in the area of tax policy.

The cumulative efforts of the NOA across South-South Nigeria reflect a proactive strategy aimed at fostering resilience, improving public health literacy and rebuilding trust between the citizens and government institutions.

From sensitising the public about heat waves and disease outbreaks to galvanising support for national reforms, the agency is clearly redefining its role.

As Issa-Onilu aptly put it, “This campaign represents more than government initiatives. It is a call to action for every Nigerian to join hands in creating a society that is healthy, secure, ethical and united in purpose.”

With these sustained strides, NOA is not only informing Nigerians but also empowering them to be part of the change they want to see in their beloved country.