Director Seeks Better Funding For NOA

The Federal Government, has been called upon to adequately fund the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to enable it carry out its statutory obligation in the country.

The outgoing Director of the Agency in Rivers State, Chief Andy Nweye who stated this yesterday while handing over to his successor, Mr Oliver Wolugbom said the Agency should be given a place in the comity of agencies, particularly in terms of funding.

Chief Nwenye noted that the Agency remained the only federal organisation that the staff work without resources and funding.

According to him, “there are lots of works and challenges for NOA, but the agency cannot carry on without proper funding.

‘The Agency is currently starved of funds.’ ‘You do not expect to reap where you did not invest,’ he said.

The former state Director noted that it is expensive to carry out attitude and character change of the people, adding that for the Agency to change one character of a Nigerian, it takes two or three  years and involves funding and constant monitoring.

“For NOA to change the attitude of a country to a minimal level, it needs more funding and desires much more desirable, he said.

He however commended the efforts of the Rivers State Government in sponsoring most of the agency’s programmes and the assistance given to the agency.

Nweye also urged the state government to see NOA not as the federal Agency but that of the state.

He advised his successor not to allow lack of funding to affect its operations but to sustain the trust, confidence and integrity of the Agency even as he commended the people for the confidence they had for NOA.

Responding, the Acting State Director, Mr Oliver Wolugbom commended the state government for its assistance and assured to sustain that trust and confidence the agency had received.

Wolugbom said he would do his best to carry out the functions of the Agency.