NOA sensitises students in Gombe on national core values
In an attempt to address the menace of social vices amongst students in Gombe State, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) on Thursday embarked on sensitising students on national core values.
Director of NOA in the state, Mrs Adaline Patari while addressing the students in Gombe said the sensitisation became necessary in view of the increasing cases of social vices, drug abuse, crimes and other deviant behaviours.
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Patari stated that a good knowledge of the national core values would help children and youth understand their social responsibility and mould their character for the benefit of the country.
She stated that the national core values which she listed to include patriotism, discipline, integrity, dignity of labour, self-reliance, social justice and religious tolerance, remained a vital tool for peace building in any society.
“The Agency has over the years organised series of programmes to ensure that these values are internalised by Nigerians.
“Value re-orientation drive of the NOA seeks to create a deliberate consciousness in Nigerian citizens towards reviving and internalising our core value system which bothers on respect, honesty, discipline, accountability, patriotism, transparency and responsibility.
“You are therefore, expected to embrace, imbibe and promote these core values in your daily live,” she said.
The state director said Youth and students had greater roles to play in making the future of the country better by accepting to abide by the values in order to promote peace, unity and development of the country.
Patari said that when students and youths in the state do the right things and exhibit good morales, it would reduce crime rates and complement government’s efforts at ensuring security for national development.
Also, Mr Oqua Etim, the Commissioner of Police Gombe State Command advised the students to always discipline themselves wherever they go.
Etim said many students and youths had missed their opportunities to be great because of indiscipline and lack of self control.
Represented by SP Mary Malum, Etim urged the students to also be vigilant in their communities and report suspicious attempts to breach peace to relevant authorities.
“For the female students, please be careful where and how you move around, with the increase in rape of minors, you just have to be careful and be conscious of your community.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 50 students drawn from 10 schools in Gombe State comprising public and private schools were sensitised and given some materials on the national core values.
Also, Mr Abdu Shinga, an assistant state commander, of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Gombe State made a presentation on drug abuse, urging the students to “say no to drugs and yes to life.”
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) officials, religious leaders amongst others also advised the students on how they can become role model in their communities.
