By Monday Danladi
Bauchi State Directorate of the National Orientation Agency, (NOA), 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 coming up on the 1st of October, 2026.
The MoU was signed on Tuesday, 8th September, 2026, when the Executive Committee of the Memorial Centre, paid a courtesy visit to the Acting State Director, NOA, Mallam Adamu Umar Sarkinyara in his office to formalize the partnership through the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding, MoU.
The event is billed for Thursday, 1st October, 2026 at the Sir Ahmadu Bello International Conference Centre, (ICC), Bauchi, with the theme: “Reimagining Statesmanship in a Fractured Republic: The Balewa Lessons for Youths.”
Speaking during the visit, Adamu 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.
According to him, “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."
The Director added, “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."
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.
While 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 marked the beginning of joint activities between both organizations towards a successful Independence Day Public Lecture that will spotlight leadership, nationhood and values.
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