Information Ministry partners NOA on voter education, attitudinal change
By Chinedum Treasure
Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Value Reformation, Dr Law Mefor has pledged partnership with the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to drive voter education, peaceful elections and attitudinal change.
Mefor made the commitment when a NOA delegation led by the South East Zonal Director, Mrs Theresa Maduka, and Anambra State Director, Barr Ifeoma Chijioke, paid him a courtesy visit in his office.
The commissioner said the ministry’s “Value Reformation” mandate aligns directly with NOA’s core work of attitude change.
“Whether you call it orientation, enlightenment, value reformation, or sensitisation, it’s all about attitude change. I think you are in the right place,” he said.
According to Mefor, Governor Chukwuma Soludo had modified the ministry’s mandate and placed the Anambra Civic and Social Reformation Agency under it, making the ministry the “mother ministry" for reorientation and value reformation.
He advocated his “morasuasion and enforcement” model to achieve behaviour change, stressing that enlightenment or advocacy without enforcement is not enough.
“Since they are accustomed to it, you need to combine more persuasion with very serious enforcement. In psychology of learning, there’s what is called aversion as a form of punishment.
"You are aware of the repercussions before you take any action. That is the method that will work."
He cited the Anambra Homeland Security Law 2025 and “Oso Soludo” as enforcement steps against crime enablers like native doctors promoting ‘Okeite’ and 'Odeshi', among others.
On voter apathy, the Commissioner stressed that authorities must also earn the trust of citizens.
“They must show that they are committed to democracy. If the right things were done, Anambra would lead the way. Anambra people are so advanced politically.
“If you need any assistance that can be provided from this office, we are here to help. The only thing I think you can’t get from this office is money,” he said, while proposing a joint committee to work out collaboration between the ministry and NOA.
Earlier, the NOA Zonal Director said the Agency sought the ministry’s backing to reorient citizens and tackle social vices.
“We are here to ask for your support because, naturally, you are specialised in informing Nigerians, sensitising them, and mobilising them on our values, culture, behavior, and so forth.
"With the reformation or orientation office also located in the state, the Information Ministry serves as the primary authority for both. So we need you to be in partnership with us," she added.
Maduka decried voter apathy and electoral violence despite high literacy levels, saying, “It’s so embarrassing that in this state, our educational attainment is quite high in the percentage.
"However, when it comes to voter participation in this activity, the numbers are very low. We need to reorient voters to understand that their votes matter. Go and vote. Vote your conscience.”
She also decried rising cybercrime among youths, urging louder campaigns to counter the negative narrative that “education is not a scam” and calling for an end to such campaigns.
