The Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, has been honoured with the prestigious Most Impactful Nigerian Patron Award 2025.
He received the honour at the Nigeria Week London event, held recently at the Hippodrome Theatre, Golders Green.
As Special Guest of Honour, DG Onilu also delivered the official opening keynote, addressing a high level audience of Nigerians in the UK, Nollywood icons, the DG of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), and representatives from Film London, Middlesex University, and other prominent institutions.
In his speech entitled, “Nigeria Must Rise to Lift Africa”, DG Onilu emphasized Nigeria’s pivotal role in Africa’s development.“Nigeria is the big brother of Africa.
For the continent to move forward, Nigeria must rise up, take its place, and shoulder that responsibility.
”He presented the National Values Charter (NVC) as the Agency’s moral blueprint for rebuilding national identity through patriotism, integrity, civic discipline, and unity.
The DG outlined NOA’s recent civic engagement tools, including:CLHEEAN – a Civic Learning Hub for Empowerment, Engagement And Nationhood. The Mobiliser – a community activation tool designed to engage grassroots audiences.
He also announced the forthcoming launch of the CLHEEAN mobile app, which will give Nigerians everywhere access to real-time civic resources, orientation content, and engagement opportunities.
Reclaiming National Symbols & Diaspora Partnership, Mallam Onilu called for renewed respect for national symbols, such as the flag, anthem, pledge and naira, as expressions of sovereignty and pride.
He further urged Nigerians in the diaspora to partner with NOA in shaping a new national narrative, and commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for policies that support this mission, including the student loan scheme aimed at educational inclusion.
Highpoint of the event was the presentation, to Mallam Onilu with the Most Impactful Nigerian Patron Award 2025, in recognition of his visionary leadership, bold reforms at the National Orientation Agency, and unwavering commitment to rebuilding civic consciousness in Nigeria and across the diaspora.
Reporting by Abiola Peters