Media both mirror, compass of society – NOA DG
Media both mirror, compass of society – NOA DG
The Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu, says the media not only reflects the society, but directs and shapes its values.
Issa-Onilu said this at the maiden 2025 NAN-NUJ Press Week held at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.
Speaking on the theme, “The Place of the Media in Shaping and Sustaining National Values”, the NOA director-general said sustaining values cannot be achieved in the heat of sensational headlines.
“The truth is that the media is not just a mirror. It is also a compass.
“It does not merely reflect the society, it directs it. And in that direction lies the power to shape values.
“Sustaining values, however, goes beyond breaking news.
“It is not achieved in the heat of sensational headlines but in the quiet, deliberate, and consistent reinforcement of ethics, accountability, unity, and resilience.
“When the media chooses truth over rumour, context over conjecture, and the public interest over private gain, it is actively sustaining the values that hold a society together,” he said.
Issa-Onilu traced the role of the media in Nigeria to the early days of independence struggle, when it became the fire that lit the path to freedom.
“The Nigeria media was and is not simply a chronicler of events.
“The newspapers of the 1940s and the 1950s were not merely about selling papers; they were mobilising the spirit of nationalism.
“They carried the voices of our leaders who urged Nigerians to believe in the possibility of self-rule.
“In the later years, the radio and television became the conscience of society, amplifying the struggles of ordinary Nigerians, giving voice to the voiceless, and shaping national debates in ways that guided policy and influenced governance.
“The media stood and still stands as a bridge between the government and the people; and as a mirror in which our society can see its strengths and weaknesses,” he said.
The NOA DG reiterated that the Nigerian constitution guarantees freedom of the press and freedom of expression, which are fundamental to democracy.
He, however, cautioned that with such power comes significant responsibility.
According to him, the stories that journalists share, or choose not to share, can either build bridges or deepen divisions, foster hope or sow despair.
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“In a society where corruption, insecurity, and disunity frequently dominate the headlines, we must pause and reflect: what values are we imparting to our people, and what image of Nigeria are we projecting to the world?
“When a young Nigerian grows up constantly seeing headlines that define his country solely by its weaknesses, what sense of belonging will he develop?
“When the world perceives us only through a lens of negativity, how will it respect our voice on the international stage?” he said.
Issa-Onilu noted that media platforms amplify the government’s messages, with their stories shaping public trust and credibility, while their voices influence national unity.
“This is why the National Orientation Agency is advancing the Nigerian Identity Project as a flagship national programme that directly hinges on a strong media partnership.
“The Nigerian Identity Project is a bold initiative designed to embed value orientation and civic education into the fabric of our society, beginning with the school curriculum from primary through to tertiary levels,” he added.
In his welcome remarks, the Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria, Malam Ali M. Ali, said the inaugural NUJ-NAN Press Week is a testament to the agency’s commitment to professionalism and excellence.
He said that since his appointment, NAN management had focused on repositioning the agency to compete with global brands.
“It may seem like a tall order, but none of us here is deterred by how big the dream is.
“Of course, we are limited in funding and infrastructure, but we endeavour to do better.
“NAN has been recognised, and our reporters keep getting recognised nationwide.
“Our editors and controllers are also committed to excellence, and that is why we can dream even bigger,” he said.
The Chairman of NUJ, FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike, and the representatives of the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Air Force, and the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) gave their Goodwill messages.
The Press Week featured lectures, presentation of plaques, a cultural display, and a quiz session on how well participants understand Nigeria values.
