The Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Abia State, Comrade Victor Orji, joined hundreds of children and dignitaries at the Umuahia Township Stadium on Tuesday to commemorate this year’s Children’s Day celebration, an event marked by fanfare, cultural performances, and patriotic display.

 

The occasion, which drew participants from schools across the state, was given a special touch by the lively performance of the War Against Indiscipline (WAI) Brigade Band, whose presence brought a vibrant blend of pageantry and purpose to the annual celebration.

 

Speaking in an exclusive interview with our correspondent at the event, Comrade Orji emphasized the critical role of Children’s Day in promoting national consciousness among the younger generation. He described children as “future leaders whose values must be nurtured today,” stressing that the NOA remains at the forefront of efforts to instill discipline, patriotism, and civic responsibility in young Nigerians.

 

“Through various platforms, including school engagements and public campaigns, the NOA is consistently working to reorient our youth, building in them the character needed to contribute meaningfully to national development,” Orji said.

 

The NOA director highlighted the significance of the WAI Brigade’s participation, noting that it serves as a strong symbol of the agency’s commitment to moral rearmament and youth development.

 

“Their participation today is a reminder of our mandate to inculcate in our children a deep sense of civic responsibility and national pride,” he added.

 

Beyond the pomp of Children’s Day, Comrade Orji revealed that the NOA in Abia State is actively running several child-centered initiatives, including school outreach programs, anti-bullying campaigns, and community sensitization projects on child rights and responsibilities. These initiatives, he explained, are part of a broader strategy to build a generation of socially responsible and value-driven citizens.

 

He also called on parents, teachers, and community leaders to work closely with the agency in reinforcing positive values among children.

 

“It is a collective responsibility. The task of raising disciplined, patriotic children cannot be left to schools or government alone,” Orji noted.

 

Reaffirming the agency’s dedication to the cause of child welfare, he assured that the NOA will continue to support and advocate for policies and initiatives that promote education, child protection, and active citizenship.

 

As the nation reflects on the future it envisions for its children, the 2025 Children’s Day celebration in Umuahia stood out as a powerful reminder of the role of civic institutions like the NOA in shaping a better tomorrow.