The National Orientation Agency has harped on family stability as a crucial influence on moral values and national security
The Director General of NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu who stated this during the opening of Haske Biyu 2025 in Kaduna, described family as the first school of citizenship where discipline, respect, empathy and responsibility are instilled .
According to Mallam Issa Onilu, children who grow up in homes, guided by love, structures and accountability, are more likely to become patriotic citizens, committed to peace, law and order, unlike their peers in broken homes and dysfunctional families, whom he said often become delinquent, drug addicts, cybercriminals, cultists and even violent extremists.
“These are not abstract threats ,they are direct contributors to security challenges we are confronting today. Even as the nation strengthens its military capabilities, attention must also be given to silent long term threats arising from the erosion of family values, he said.
Highlighting NOA’s role in strengthening national values, Mallam Issa- Onlilu assured that the agency would continue to use civic education, community engagement in the 774 Local government areas, media campaigns and school based programmes to promote discipline, tolerance, unity and shared responsibility.
He also made reference to the National Values Charter, describing it as a social contract that is binding on the government and citizens, saying that Nigerians need to urgently develop a national parenting framework.
Mallam Issa-Onilu noted that the framework would be culturally grounded and accessible to parents to empower them in raising responsible, emotionally resilient and civic – minded children, while calling for reforms in schools, to include value reorientation, civic responsibility and digital citizenship.
Reporting by Abiola PETERS