The Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Mike Omeri has commended the government and people of Kwara State for the peaceful resolution of disputes between Muslims and Christians in the state.

Towards this end, he has implored other states of the federation to emulate Kwara State in ensuring amicable settlement of disputes among their resident.

Mr. Omeri stated this in Ilorin the state capital while featuring on "Playing host" a Radio Kwara Personality interview Programme.

He described the activities of the Boko-Haram sect as unfortunate and a curious challenge to the entire citizenry adding that the agency were relating with various religious and community leaders in finding a permanent solution to the crisis.

The NOA director-general appealed to Nigerians to rise and speak with one voice, particularly anytime there was problem in the land stressing that the interest of the country should be paramount before other competing interest.

On the current unemployment problem facing Nigeria most especially the youth. Mr. Omeri enjoined Nigerians to look inwards and not to depend largely on government for white collar jobs, explaining that government jobs alone could not alleviate poverty as the public sector also had a role to play.

According to him, failure by the leaders and followers to do the right thing at the right time had led Nigeria to the present problem and therefore called on Nigerians to have a positive change of heart and begin to have trust in one another.

Speaking on the challenge facing the agency, the director-general disclosed that like other agencies, the major constraint was finance but said the agency has not allowed it to affect its operations of enlightening Nigerians on the activities of government.

Mr. Omeri has therefore appealed to state governments and local government councils to come to the aid of the agency, stressing that it was presently into partnership and collaboration with developing partners and institutions on how best to fund the agency and propagate activities of the government in all language to the grassroot.

According to him, the agency had recently introduced a platform known as community dialogue platform where activities of government are communicated to those at the grassroot and also an award platform where Nigerians that do the right things are recognized.

The director-general disclosed that the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola has been given an award for intercepting atop military personnel on Lagos highway for driving against traffic and presented him with twenty thousand naira for doing the right thing.

Culled from The Herald Newspaper