The Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, has called for greater responsibility, accuracy, and ethical conduct in Nigeria’s digital media space.
The NOA Boss emphasized that strengthening corporate online media is essential to national development.
Issa-Onilu made this known in a goodwill message delivered at the 2025 Investiture, Public Lecture & Awards of the Association of Corporate Online Editors (ACOE), held on Tuesday at the NICON Luxury Hotel, Abuja.
He was represented by Alhaji Bala Musa, Director of Media and Communications at NOA.
The NOA DG applauded ACOE for its role in shaping national conversations and elevating digital journalism standards.
SINL Nigeria Online reports that he described the event’s theme “Strengthening Corporate Online Media for National Development” as timely and crucial in an era where digital platforms define public opinion and influence national engagement.
He emphasized that digital media has become “the heartbeat of public communication”, noting that it is now the primary arena where narratives are formed and citizens interact with national issues. He stressed the need for practitioners to uphold accuracy, integrity, balance and responsibility in their reporting.
Issa-Onilu highlighted the Federal Government’s National Values Charter, approved in September 2024, as a guiding framework for promoting ethical conduct and responsible digital behaviour. He explained that NOA is currently enhancing its communication infrastructure and public explainer materials to ensure clarity, transparency, and trust in government information.
He also reaffirmed NOA’s commitment to building strong partnerships with credible online media organisations like ACOE to tackle misinformation and strengthen editorial standards across Nigeria’s digital media landscape.
During the ceremony, ACOE honoured Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu with an Exceptional Leadership Award, recognising his significant contributions to responsible public communication, national orientation, and media ethics. Alhaji Bala Musa received the award on his behalf.
The NOA DG congratulated ACOE’s leadership, organisers, awardees, and practitioners, urging them to continue promoting truth, unity and national values in the digital space.
