Nation-building: NOA, RebuildNigeria sign MoU to promote good governance

In a bid to promote good governance at all levels in Nigeria, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the RebuildNigeria360 Movement.
The Director General NOA Dr Garba Abari in his address at the official inauguration of the FCT-Abuja Unity Chapter of RebuildNigeria360 Movement with the theme,”Rebuilding2Rebirthing: The Brand New Nigeria Nations of Our Dream – A National Priority”, at NOA headquarters in Abuja, disclosed that the partnership was inline with the mandate of the agency to raise awareness for attitudinal change and value re-orientation among Nigerians.
Represented by the Director, Human Resources Management of the NOA, Mr Kehinde Okunade, the DG stressed that nation-building will create room for peaceful co-existence, common use of resources, mutual benefit, growth and development.
According to him, Nation-building is the constructing of or structuring of the nation’s identity using the power of the state.
He said it is aimed at the unification of the people within the state so that it remains politically stable and viable in the long run.

“The lack of national consciousness for a nation like Nigeria may not be the main problem but a lack of commitment by citizens to promote deep inter-ethnic
relations may be our main challenge. State building in the form of institution- strengthening is rather important for unity in a plural society. Therefore, we posit that institutions strengthening and deliberate effort to re- engineer the federal system to produce a viable Nigeria capable of delivering on public goods and good governance is more important in our collective effort to address the many challenges confronting our nation.

“The importance of Nation-building cannot be overemphasized as it creates room for peaceful co-existence, common use of resources and unity against external aggression, for mutual benefits, for future generations and also growth and development.

“It goes without saying that while leadership is important, the nation-building we desire as a country can only be achieved by the collective effort of all citizens.

“A Nation-builder demonstrates an eagerness and willingness to help others, shows a curiousity for learning especially towards his/her own nation.

“The concept of Nation-building is the process whereby a society of people with diverse origins, histories, languages, cultures and religions come together within the boundaries of a sovereign state with a unified constitutional and legal dispensation, a national public education system, an integrated national economy, shared symbols and values as equals, to work towards eradicating the divisions and injustices of the past to foster unity and promote a country wide conscious sense of proud citizens committed to the country and open to the world.

“In furtherance of our campaign for citizens’ inclusion in nation-building, NOA has partnered with many non-government organization and civil society organizations on leadership and nation-building at various engagements in line with the mandate of the Agency.

“At the Agency, it is our firm belief that our huge human capital remains our strength and valuable resources to build a country we desire as a nation.

“As stakeholders on this journey, we urge the media to showcase our diversity to inspire a renewed hope in our nation,” he said.

In his remarks, the Global President and the CEO, RebuildNigeria360 Movement, Model Jeffrey Abidoye decried the fact that Nigeria as a nation is daily crying out for leaders to the true path to leadership through the application of timeless principles supported by the bedrock of personal character.

Abidoye noted that the country is suffering from a severe shortage of integrity, adding that it needs men willing to stand strong in the midst of moral chaos,”men willing to reach beyond ethnic and political barriers, political leaders willing to cement their political manifestoes, commitments and personal promises and become men of their words and real promise keepers.

He pointed that the challenge in transforming Nigeria to become the leading light in global arena is for citizens to become attuned and condition their hearts to new positive possibilities for the country

He expressed optimism that despite the extent of damage inflicted on the psyche of Nigerian citizens that with sincere and collective efforts that the nation will be restored to the path of greatness.

Abidoye unveiled projects and programs which he said the Movement would embark on to help address the various challenges bedeviling the nation.