NOA to use indigenous cartoons to teach children national values, character

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) says it will focus on the use of indigenous television, screen, and theatre cartoons to teach children national values, character, culture, and heritage.

The State Director of NOA in Enugu State, Mrs. Clara Nwachukwu, disclosed this in Enugu on Monday during a courtesy call to the Enugu Zonal Manager of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mrs. Maureen Atuonwu, to intimate NAN on NOA’s new National Identity Project.

She said that the Federal Government, through NOA, had planned an extensive catch-them-young initiative using cartoons to teach as well as enshrine national values and characters among Nigerian children nationwide.

According to her, it is unfortunate that our television and other screen platforms are flooded with foreign characters and values, which most times negate our national values and character.

“Our values are almost decaying, especially among our children, as they turn more to foreign cartoons, which only contain values and characters alien to us as Nigerians.

“However, NOA is putting in place plans to ensure that within now and the next three years, the country will have a lot of indigenous cartoons.

“These cartoons, which will portray the nation’s rich culture and heritage, rich values, and positive character, as well as landmarks and flora, will flood our television, screen, and theatre space for our children.

“We will have cartoon characters and content meant to add positive learning, insight, and exposure to our children as Nigerians,” she said.

She noted that the agency had been working round the clock to see that Nigerians imbibe positive and right culture and values.

“The indigenous cartoon initiative for children is critical to getting it right from the cradle among children,” Nwachukwu said.

Responding, Atuonwu said that NAN was the flagship of wire service in the entire Africa, maintaining both district and state capital offices throughout the country as well as foreign offices in some countries.

“Once you talk to NAN, you have talked to all.

“We, as NAN, practice responsible and balanced reporting, ensuring we use our reportage to promote national values, development, unity, and peace.

“We will partner with you to give NOA’s mandate and new National Identity Project the needed reach and publicity,” she said.