In line with the national drive for citizen reorientation, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, has constituted a committee to finalise Nigeria’s Values Charter.
According to the statement released by the Ministry stated that Nigeria’s Values Charter embodies a social contract between the country and its citizens.
Adding that this values charter will serve as a blueprint and policy for a national value system, defining Nigerians and undergirding their personality as citizens.
It said further that the new policy, unveiled in early 2024 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, consists of the Nigerian Promise and the Citizen Codes, which have seven pillars each.
Saying that the federal government intends to incorporate these values into formal, informal, and vocational educational policies.
“It is common practice for countries to define their core values and institute policies to transmit a shared value system among the citizens, which, in the case of Nigeria, would help citizens evolve into united people with shared aspirations, a sense of nationalism, and pride.
“Despite the Constitutional provision on national values, Nigeria has not implemented a definitive core value system for its citizens. As a country of diverse ethnic and cultural values, evolving into a unified nation without a unifying value system has been challenging”, the statement added.
While the committee, which has two weeks to submit its report, has the following membership: Dr. Muhammed Auwal Haruna as Chairman, Dr. Biodun Adeniyi as Deputy Chairman, Dr. Otive Igbuzor member.
Dr. Emma Agu, Dr. Grace Awoleye, Dr. Monday Philip, Dr. Tunji Azeez, Dr. Naima Aminu, Nkechi Ali Balogun which are also members.
“Mrs. Theresa Nnalue, Director of Orientation and Behavioural Modification (OBM), of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), will coordinate the committee”, the statement added.