By Ebriku John Friday

Amid challenges across the country, the National Orientation Agency (NOA), and other stakeholders, yesterday, sensitized Nigerians on critical issues bordering their lives including insecurity, HIV/AIDS, Get-rich-quick syndrome, Tax reform bills, and others.

The Director, NOA, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Directorate, Mrs. Ijeoma Agbanusi, in an address of welcome, delivered at a stakeholders engagement/town hall meeting on ‘World AIDS/HIV Day, Security Awareness, campaign against Get-rich-quick syndrome, World Human Rights Day, and Tax Reform Bills’ held in Abuja, drew attention to the issues.

Some stakeholders in attendance include, traditional rulers, Nigeria Immigration Services, the Army, Navy, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), media amongst others.

According to Agbanusi, the town hall meeting and engagement with stakeholders with the theme ‘Promoting Ethical Values and National Development’ is on a campaign that focuses on five key sensitization campaign issues;
Raising awareness on world AIDS/HIV Day; Security awareness or consciousness; Discouraging Get Rich Quick syndromes; Combating Human Rights violation; and supporting the Tax Reform Bills.

She also explained that the citizens in FCT and the rest 36 States of the federation need to understand these issues and how to avoid them, which basically is to ensure they are abreast with what is going on in their environment, what government is doing in terms of the policies, programmes and projects meant for them, and also to spread awareness amongst Nigerians not to engage in deadly vices that would cost their lives and families.

She also said it is on the part of citizens as stakeholders to ensure that the five key issues involves them and government to collectively act to promote the messages across to Nigerians, which the NOA FCT Directorate has launched a campaign across the FCT area councils through; Public Awareness Campaigns; Community Outreach Programs at various Area Councils; and Collaboration with Law Enforcement Agencies and Regulatory Bodies.

She said: “World HIV/AIDS Day; The World AIDS Day is a day to raise awareness about HIV, show support for those living with the disease, and remember those who have died from AIDS-related illnesses. In observing the day, we are reminded of the causes of the disease as well as the need to address the inequalities that drive the AIDS pandemic so that we can collectively strive towards reducing the spread of the disease, ameliorating the impact, work towards ensuring access to HIV services and promoting inclusivity and acceptance.

“The government in this regard has intensified efforts to provide free and accessible HIV testing and counseling services nationwide. Citizens are urged to take advantage of these services, practice responsible health behaviors, and support those living with HIV/AIDS.

“Security Consciousness: Security is everyone’s business. As individuals, we must take responsibility for our personal safety and security. This includes being vigilant and mindful of our environment, keeping valuables secure, avoiding late night movements, avoiding unnecessary display of wealth as well as reporting suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities.

“The government has intensified efforts in tackling these challenges through strengthening security architecture, expanding policing initiatives, and deploying technology to combat criminal activities. Citizens are hereby called upon to report suspicious activities, cooperate with law enforcement agencies, and remember that security begins with each individual.

“Shunning the Get-Rich-Quick Syndrome: The get rich quick syndrome has become a major menace and concern in our society. Many innocent citizens have fallen victims of financial scams and Ponzi schemes, losing their hard-earned savings and investments. We must recognize that there is no shortcut to success. Wealth creation requires hard work, patience, and dedication. We must promote a culture of financial responsibility and literacy and also encourage citizens to make informed investment decisions.

“The government has implemented youth empowerment programmes, such as the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP), and skill acquisition initiatives. Citizens are urged to reject shortcuts to wealth and instead embrace integrity, patience, hard work, and the opportunities provided through government initiatives.

“World Human Rights Day: World Human Rights Day raises awareness about human rights, promotes action to address human rights violations, and celebrates progress made in promoting and protecting Human Rights. Human Rights are the basic rights and freedoms that every individual is entitled to, regardless of their race, gender, religion, nationality, or any other status. These rights are universal, inalienable, and interdependent, and they are essential for the dignity and well-being of every human being.

“In commemorating World Human Rights Day, the government is systematically strengthening legal frameworks, establishing support centres for survivors of abuse and violence, and promoting constitutional awareness. Citizens are called upon to stand for justice, respect the rights of others, and report violations to the appropriate authorities.

“Tax Reforms: A fair and efficient tax system is the backbone of any thriving economy. The Nigeria Tax Bill is where all major taxes imposed on individuals and companies are clearly stated as well as the rates. The government has introduced four tax reform bills, which include the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, the Tax Administration Bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill.

“These reforms aim to stop double taxation, support low-income earners, create a simplified and transparent tax processes, and ensure visible impact of taxes on infrastructure development.”

However, the FCT NOA boss, called for action, which she said the campaign is not just about government initiatives, but a collective movement towards a better Nigeria.

“As responsible and patriotic Nigerians, all stakeholders, including citizens, businesses, educational institutions and civil society organizations, are urged to join hands in addressing these five critical issues”, she added.

Meanwhile, in a paper presentation titled ‘Stakeholders Engagement/Town Hall Meeting on World Aids/HIV Day, Security Awareness, Campaign Against Get Rich Quick Syndrome, World Human Rights Day and the Tax Reform Bills’ by Tpl. Agbanusi Uchechukwu Jonathan, which pointed out that there is need for the NOA to adequately create awareness on critical issues that affect Nigerians, which he referred to the current debate on tax reform bills.

“Tax reform is generally undertaken to improve the efficiency of tax administration and to maximise the economic and social benefits that can be achieved by any nation.

“Most developed economies depend heavily on taxations in order to develop the country countries infrastructural facilities, which will in turn help in the growth of both the economy, and also the improvement of the citizens’ wellbeing.

“Taxes in any nation changes with the changing times, because of the dynamic nature of human society and change in technology.

“For instance, in Nigeria, it is expected that the tax reform Bill should able to gradually progress the taxes by increasing the Value-Added Tax (VAT) from 7.5 per cent to 10 per cent by 2025, 12.5 per cent by 2026, and 15 per cent by 2030.

“The tax reform Bill by the Federal Government is what the NOA is trying to educate the people on so as to avoid unnecessary anxiety, anger, and acrimony amongst the citizenry. This has become necessary, because an uneducated, and uniformed mind is a devil’s workshop that can, at any time, conjecture mischief, or misdirected.

“In conclusion, it is crystal clear that the National Orientation Agency NOA, with its new found vigour, which they have infused in their operations, based on their mandate, is living up to the reason for their creation from the onset. For the fact that (NOA) is responsible for communicating government policy, promoting national unity, and encouraging patriotism: then, their new found energy is capable of propelling them to ensure that the public understands government programmes and policies.

“By so doing, NOA is at the epi-centre to promote national unity: through encouraging the citizens to act in ways that promote peace, harmony, and national development.”