UNICEF and NOA Explore New Areas of Partnership

Folalumi Alaran in Abuja

UNICEF and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) are seeking opportunities for collaboration in novel areas, following more than twenty years of partnership and cooperation between the two organizations.

In a two-day review meeting held between the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Abuja, the Director General of NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, highlighted the longstanding partnership and collaboration between the two organizations.

Issa-Onilu emphasized the significant impact UNICEF has had on children’s lives globally and particularly in Nigeria.

He underscored the importance of leveraging the existing relationship to create a better platform for engagement and collaboration between UNICEF and NOA.

The NOA has embarked on reforms in its operational approach, and Issa-Onilu stressed the importance of aligning with partners to ensure a shared understanding of the new direction and to identify areas of collaboration for improved outcomes.

“The objective today is to meet, greet, discuss, evaluate our progress, and identify further opportunities for collaboration,” stated the NOA DG.

Chief Social and Behaviour Change at UNICEF, Kshitij Joshi, on his part echoed the sentiment of long standing partnership and acknowledged the collective achievements of both agencies over the years.

Joshi emphasized the importance of not only creating awareness about government programs and issues but also engaging with communities to solicit feedback and ensure their voices are heard by decision-makers.

“We aim to identify areas where our organizations can collaborate to engage with communities, especially women and children, to amplify their voices and contribute to our mandates,” Joshi said.