As Nigerians celebrated the
World Human Rights Day, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) has assured that the federal government remains committed to protecting the dignity of every Nigerians through strengthening legal frameworks to address human rights violations, including gender-based violence and child trafficking.
The Director General NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu stated this during the flag-off of nationwide sensitization campaigns on the world HIV Day , Security Awareness, Discouraging Get Rich Quick Syndrome , World Human Rights Day and the Tax Reform Bills held the agency’s office in Lokoja on Friday.
Mallam Issa-Onilu who was represented by the Acting State Director NOA, Kogi State Directorate Patrick Edogbanya, said the federal government recent effort was the establishment of support centers for survivors of abuse and violence in collaboration with civil society as well as promoting constitutional awareness to ensure citizens understand their rights and responsibilities.
According to him, these efforts can only be successful when citizens stand for justice, respect the rights of others, and report violations to the appropriate authorities, noting that “We will in this nationwide campaigns also be urging citizens to recognize that they also have civic responsibilities to uphold”.
Speaking on the security awareness which he described as top priority to government, the NOA boss averred that government has been strengthening security architecture through better equipment, training, and increased funding for security agencies, adding that policing initiatives has been expanded to improve collaboration between citizens and law enforcement agencies.
He stated that government has deployed technology, such as surveillance systems and intelligence gathering, to combat criminal activities across the country, noting that the efforts require the active support of citizens, who must report suspicious activities and cooperate with law enforcement agencies.
“We are urging citizens to be conscious of the fact that Security begins with you and I” he stated.
While cautioning Nigerian youth against Get-Rich-Quick Syndrome, the Director General hinted that government recognizes that the erosion of the nation’s age long values and economic hardship often drives individuals toward unethical practices, noting that government is making concerted effort to address the challenge through the
implementation of youth empowerment programs such as the National Social Investment Program (NSIP) and skill acquisition initiatives.
“In this regard, government has been supporting small and medium enterprises through grants and loans to promote entrepreneurship in addition to
criminalizing fraudulent practices, including internet fraud and financial crimes, with increased enforcement by agencies like the EFCC and ICPC.
“Citizens must reject shortcuts to wealth and embrace integrity, hard work, and the opportunities provided through government initiatives to make life better for citizens.
“In this Yuletide season, the tendency to resort to criminal ways to acquire ill gotten wealth so as to impress others is heightened. The NOA will in this month of December be carrying out nationwide sensitization against the get rich quick syndrome” the NOA boss said.
The Director General NOA who also highlighted the significant of the nation’s Tax Reforms, said the reform brought by the federal government was aimed at making the system fairer and less burdensome for citizens.
Reeling out the tax reform bills, Issa-Onilu stated that the tax reform bills are four different bills that seeks to bring everything about taxation and administration of tax in Nigeria under four different pieces of legislation namely, the Nigeria Tax Bill, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill.
He pointed out that the bills when passed into law and operational, there would be no more double taxes, it would support low-income earners, tax payments would be easier, faster, and more accountable among others.
“These reforms are designed to ease the burden on hardworking Nigerians while ensuring everyone contributes fairly. By supporting this effort, we can create a tax system that works for all and funds the development projects that will improve our nation” the DG said.
