NOA boss Issa-Onilu bags “Most Impactful Nigerian Patron Award” in London

Kunle Sanni –

The Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu, was honoured with the Most Impactful Nigerian Patron Award 2025 during the grand finale of Nigeria Week London. The event, held at the Hippodrome Theatre in Golders Green, brought together a distinguished gathering of Nigerians in the UK, Nollywood celebrities, top government officials, and international partners.

As Special Guest of Honour, Malam Onilu delivered the official opening keynote, setting the tone for a week dedicated to celebrating Nigerian culture, innovation, and leadership. In his address, he underscored Nigeria’s critical role in Africa’s development.

“Nigeria is the big brother of Africa. For the continent to move forward, Nigeria must rise up, take its place, and shoulder that responsibility,” he said.

The DG presented the National Values Charter (NVC), NOA’s framework for rebuilding Nigeria’s civic identity through patriotism, integrity, civic discipline, and unity.

He also highlighted the agency’s latest civic engagement initiatives, starting with the Civic Learning Hub for Empowerment, Engagement And Nationhood (CLHEEAN), which serves as a platform for civic education and national orientation. Additionally, he introduced The Mobiliser, a grassroots activation tool designed to connect with communities directly.

To enhance these efforts, the agency said a mobile app for CLHEEAN is forthcoming, promising to provide Nigerians with access to real-time civic content, orientation materials, and various engagement opportunities.

Malam Onilu emphasized the importance of reclaiming and respecting national symbols—including the flag, anthem, pledge, and currency—as expressions of collective identity and sovereignty.

Calling on the Nigerian diaspora to be active partners in nation-building, he urged collaboration to reshape the national narrative and promote value-driven storytelling. He also praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for introducing inclusive policies such as the national student loan scheme, designed to broaden educational access.