By: Monday Danladi, Bauchi
The National Orientation Agency, (NOA), Bauchi State Directorate and the Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Memorial Centre have entered into a strategic partnership to co-host a Public Lecture to mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence Day Anniversary.
The Executive Committee of the Memorial Centre on Tuesday, 8th September, 2026 paid a courtesy visit to the Acting State Director, NOA Bauchi State, Mallam Adamu Umar Sarkinyara in his office to formalize the partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU.
The event is billed for Thursday, 1st October, 2026 at the International Conference Centre, ICC, Bauchi, with the theme: “Reimagining Statesmanship in a Fractured Republic: The Balewa Lessons for Youth.”
Speaking during the visit, Mallam Sarkinyara described the partnership as timely and in direct alignment with the core mandate of the Agency.
He said the collaboration will deepen the delivery of NOA’s flagship programmes, particularly the Nigeria Identity Project and the National Values Charter, which seek to re-instill patriotism, integrity, discipline, and civic responsibility among Nigerians.
“This partnership is significant to NOA’s Vision of building a nation of patriotic, responsible and value-driven citizens, and our Mission of changing the orientation, attitudes and behaviour of Nigerians.
“By partnering with the Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Memorial Centre, NOA is leveraging a historic platform to drive national re-orientation. The values that Late Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa stood for – selfless service, humility, transparency, and unity – are the same values captured in the National Values Charter,” he stated.
The Acting Director commended the Centre for identifying NOA as a Strategic Partner, noting that the Agency will mobilize citizens across the 20 LGAs, provide civic education content, and coordinate youth participation for the Lecture.
He added that using the life and legacy of Nigeria’s first and only Prime Minister as a reference point will help inspire a new generation of leaders who will prioritize national interest above personal gain.
In his remarks, the leader of the delegation and Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Centre praised NOA for its consistent role in nation-building and public enlightenment. He said the Centre deliberately chose NOA because of its constitutional mandate to communicate government policies and shape public values.
Eulogizing the late Statesman, he described *Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa* as “a true nationalist, a symbol of integrity and a model of the Nigerian values we have lost. His life was defined by honesty, simplicity and an unalloyed commitment to one Nigeria. In a time like this, young Nigerians need to hear the Balewa story again.”
He expressed optimism that the strategic partnership with NOA will ensure the message of the Memorial Lecture reaches the grassroots and translates into attitudinal change.
The MoU signing marks the beginning of joint activities between both organizations towards a successful Independence Day Public Lecture that will spotlight leadership, nationhood and values, as contained in a statement signed by NOA Bauchi State Directorate, Press & Public Relations Unit.
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