The issue here is that this is supposed to be a national agency designed to shape the focus, mindset, loyalty and patriotism of Nigerians; yet, it is relying on donor support because it lacks the essential facilities. NOA is not often sure of its mandate: election monitoring? Public enlightenment? Training for politicians? Youth empowerment? Public education? Environmental sanitation? In June 2003, the FCT NOA Director Mr. Richard Torhen announced to the world that NOA was going to “embark on campaigns to rid FCT of filth” especially because the 8th All Africa Games was approaching and “Abuja had become a City of Filth” (Daily Trust 6, June 2003). Well, if the games had not come NOA would not have cleaned up Abuja! However, the filth is still there: so much for NOA’s effort. In sum, NOA has tried its best but it has failed woefully because its mandate was not anchored on any agreed national philosophy, it was not empowered to deliver on its goals, and it lacked the spiritual energy to change the focus and attitudes of Nigerians to believe in a set of values, institutions, leadership models, and socio-economic models. Unfortunately, NOA is totally incapable of motivating Nigerians towards the achievement of any set goals of development.
Julius Ihonvbere.com
Where Theory Meets Praxis