In a bid to continue with one of its mandates of sensitizing Nigerians, the Plateau State chapter of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), held an all inclusive Town-Hall meeting on Friday, December 13, as part of the nationwide campaign to create awareness on HIV/AIDS, Security Awareness, Human Rights, Discouraging Get Rich-Quick Syndrome and the controversy surrounding the new Tax Reform Bills.
The Town-Hall meeting which took place at the Conference Hall of the Federal Secretariat, Jos, saw an impressive turn out of stakeholders drawn from various walks of life including the government agencies and parastatals, the military, the police, civil society, religious and traditional bodies, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), financial services, and the media.
In her address to declare the meeting open, the State Director of the NOA, Mrs. Kaneng Tabitha Pam-Hworo emphasized the importance of the campaign with a view of changing the mindset of Nigerians and encourage them to key into government programmes as well as discouraging the youths from taking up devices that will not be of benefit to them in the long term.
“I welcome you, our esteemed guests to this moment of even. It is an honour and a privilege to stand before you today to flag off this significant and crucial Nationwide Sensitization Campaign by the NOA in Plateau State,” the state Director said.
“This campaign encapsulates critical issues and collective efforts aimed at addressing some of the most pressing issues confronting our society today, namely HIV/AIDS, Security Awareness, Discouraging the Get-Rich-Quick Syndrome, Human Rights and Tax Reform Bills.”
Going ahead to highlight the topics head on, Mrs. Pam-Hworo said:
“Despite the significant progress made in the treatment and prevention of HIV/AIDS it remains a critical public health challenge in the country.
“Therefore, the need to continue to sensitize and educate our citizens about the importance of regular testing, safe practices and stigma reduction.
“It is also important to promote public understanding and compassion, ensuring that those living with HIV/AIDS receive the necessary support and respect they deserve from others.
“The right information and knowledge are our strongest weapon against this epidemic. The Federal Government with NOA is encouraging all to go and check their status.”
On Security Awareness, she noted that with the rising insecurity challenges in the state, security therefore, remains paramount and all citizens must be vigilant and proactive in safeguarding their communities.
“This sensitization campaign is to draw our attention in recognizing and reporting suspicious activities, encouraging collaboration between citizens and security agencies as well as fostering a culture of safety around us,” she stated.
“Security is everyone’s business; together, we can build a safer and more secure Plateau State and Nigeria. Therefore, when you see something, you say something”.
Harping on the need to discourage Get-Rich-Quick Syndrome among Nigerians especially the youths, Mrs. Pam-Hworo stressed that the quest to get-rich-quick has led many citizens down dangerous and criminal paths and other fraudulent activities.
“This syndrome undermines our societal values and economic stability while contributing to a culture of crime and disregard for hard-work and integrity, especially among our youth.
“Through this campaign, we seek to instill the virtues of patience, hard-work and integrity. Our youth must be taught that true success comes through dedication and perseverance, not from shortcuts that lead to fraud and economic instability.”
On Human Rights issues, the Director noted that the World Human Rights day which was marked on December 10th went a long way to remind Nigerians of the shared responsibility to uphold the rights and dignity of every individual.
“Human Rights are the cornerstones emphasizing peace, justice, equity, dignity and democracy. This campaign highlights essence of protecting these rights for everyone, regardless of their backgrounds, to be treated fairly and fraudsters have ruined.”
The NOA also dwelt on the controversial Tax Reform Bills which was presented to the National Assembly by President Bola Tinubu which has caused a lot of uproar both in the assembly and in several states across the country.
Speaking on the Bill, she said:
“Taxation is an essential aspect of national development, through taxes, government is enabled to provide basic services and infrastructure.
“However, taxation has been a major source of concern to citizens due to multiple taxation and its impact on people, particularly, low-income earners.
“The new tax reform is government’s way of addressing some of these challenges. This sensitization campaign will educate the general public on how this tax reforms can lead to a more prosperous and equitable society, where everyone is treated fairly.
“In conclusion, I call on everyone present to pay close attention to these campaign messages because this is a call to action. We all have a role to play in building a healthier, secured and just Nigeria.
“Embrace another opportunity to learn and make positive impact on our communities. It is my singular honour to welcome you to this programme,” she emphasized.
