President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday in Abuja launched the National Re-orientation Campaign tagged CHANGE BEGINS WITH ME.
Speaking at the occasion, the President said the campaign is all about the need for us to see change not merely in terms of our economic, social progress but in terms of our personal behaviour on how we conduct ourselves, engage our neigbhours, friends and generally how we relate with the larger society in a positive and definitive way and
manner that promotes our common good and common destiny, change at
home, change in the work place, change at traffic junction, change at
traffic lights etc.
”I am therefore appealing to all Nigerians to be part of this
campaign. Our citizens must realize that the change they want to see
begins with them, and that personal and social reforms are not
theoretic exercise. If you have not seen the change in you, you cannot
see it in others or even the larger society. In other words, before
you ask ‘where is the change they promised us’, you must first ask how
far have I changed my ways ‘what have I done to be part of the change
for the greater good of society,” he said.
For his part, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai
Mohammed, said the CHANGE BEGINS WITH ME is a Pan Nigeria Campaign
that has no coloration whatsoever – whether it is political, religious
or ethnic. It is a campaign for all Nigerians, with the sole
objective of achieving a paradigm shift in the way we do things.
”The campaign’s principle is simple: Each one of us must be the
change we want to see in our society! Therefore, we will expect all
the states of the Federation to partner with us, especially through
the provision of air time on their radio and television stations. This
way we can reach every Nigerian.
”In addition to being multi-media, the campaign will be carried out
in all the major Nigerian languages, will leverage heavily on the social media and will be largely youth-driven,” the Minister said
The minister, who presented the multimedia format of the campaign to the public, said it had “the sole objective of achieving a paradigm shift in the ways we do things’’.
“Change begins with me is a national campaign that has no coloration whatsoever.
“ The campaign principle is simple, each one of us must live the change we want to see in our society,’’ he said.
He solicited the support of the media, particularly the public and private-owned television and radio stations by allotting airtime for the campaign clips.
“The campaign will be carried out in all the major languages of the country.
“In propagating this campaign, we will also leverage heavily on the social media and it will be largely youth-driven,’’ he said.
The multimedia format presentations centre on acts and consequences of corruption, bribery, bunkering and other economic sabotage activities.
There were also presentations on moral values – punctuality, obedience to traffic rules, use of pedestrian bridges and consequences of examination malpractices, among others.
The high point of the ceremony was the presentation of a flag by the president to the minister signalling the commencement of the campaign across the country.
Present at the ceremony were, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmoud Mohammed, governors, ministers head of government establishments, traditional rulers, religious-based leaders, members of diplomatic corps and students.
Also, the Director-General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Malam Garba Abari, expressed optimism that the “Change Begins with Me’’ campaign would address the decay of moral values in the country.
He said that the campaign was part of efforts to sensitise Nigerians to understand their roles in the actualisation of the change mantra of the Buhari’s administration.
“ Nigerians must realise that the change we seek starts with us and also understand that the society can only undergo its full change, when everyone embraces positive values.
“ The objective of the campaign is to address the decay in our value system – discipline, integrity, dignity of labour, social justice self reliance and religious tolerance-,’’ he said.
The NOA boss expressed optimism that the crusade would, no doubt, entrench new acceptable values and behaviour capable of taking Nigeria to greater height.
Abari, therefore, called on all Nigerians, irrespective of their political inclination, to support the campaign so that its objective would be achieved.
“ We must all support this initiative because there is no aspect of our national life that is not desirous of a new beginning and a new orientation,’’ he said.
The DG noted that the cumulative effect of citizens exhibiting good moral values would eventually lead to a changed society.
He assured that the NOA would use its elaborate network all over the country to take the message of change to all levels of the society and government.
“ We shall engage the citizens directly at all levels, use print and electronic media and of course the social media to reach out to a large section of our population, especially the youth.
“ These are some of the instrument we wish to deploy in order to take the change message to where it is desired most,’’ he said.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Culture, Mrs Ayotunde Adesugba, urged the media to lead the change campaign by enlightening and educating the citizens in the society.
Adesugba called on members of the National Assembly to enact laws that would promote civic responsibility and virtues in the country.
