NOA will promote cartoons that reflect Nigeria’s heritage and lifestyle, says Issa-Onilu

Lanre Issa-Onilu, director-general of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), says the ongoing incorporation of citizenship studies in the school curriculum will shape students’ character and values.

He added that the agency will promote cartoons that reflect the nation’s values.

Issa-Onilu spoke in Lagos at the ‘Shape-A-Child Initiative’s Jigsaw Puzzle Competition’ to mark World Values Day.

“In shaping future leaders, values must be embedded in our education system,” he said.

Expressing concern over the “negative impact” of foreign cartoons on Nigerian culture, he said: “We will prioritise promoting cartoons that reflect our heritage and lifestyle.”

In September, Issa-Onilu said the federal executive council (FEC) approved the introduction of citizenship studies as a compulsory component of primary to tertiary education.

The NOA DG said citizenship studies will include value orientation, civic education, and history — with citizen brigades to “help raise model citizens among Nigerian children as ambassadors of Nigerian values”.

“In shaping future leaders, values must be embedded in our education system — Citizen Brigades will also be introduced in primary and secondary schools, with 1,000 students from each state participating this year,” he said.