National Orientation Agency (NOA) says it will soon commence mass sensitisation of eligible voters across the country on the importance of voting, ahead of the 2023 general elections.

NOA Director in Kwara, Mr Olusegun Adeyemi, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Ilorin on Wednesday.

Adeyemi hinged low turnout of eligible voters in the country on voter apathy or lack of interest, even as he noted that many youths had yet to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

He, however, reiterated the agency's resolve to commence massive sensitisation of electorate across the country through various platforms.

“We will engage the media to let the public understand the situation of the country.

“The media have responsibilities as agenda setters and we will continue drumming what we want the people to hear.

“Nation building can be achieved with credible government and this can only be done through sensitisation of the electorate on the need for them to perform their civic duties,” he said.

Adeyemi urged Nigerians to shun political apathy, saying that their destinies were in their own hands.

“Voter card is the only power we have and on July 30, registration will close. Those who have already registered should go and collect their PVCs,” he said.

The NOA director added that youth should embrace effective participation in electoral process. “We have a civic responsibility and must do it diligently.

The agency's slogan will be 'shun political apathy, shun violence and vote correctly for the party of your choice',” he said.

Adeyemi listed the agency's planned programmes to include: visit to stakeholders, advocacy groups and traditional rulers as well as going round the 16 local government areas and running jingles on radio stations.

We will have robust engagements with the media so that our people can listen to radio programmes across the state.

“The new media will also be utilised to reach out to the youth in order to gear them toward voting,” he said.

Adeyemi added that both Muslim and Christian clerics would be engaged to educate their adherents on the importance of voting, while also interfacing with market men and women to encourage them to vote.

He also said that the agency would improve on drama performances, adding that theatre for development would engage the people positively.

“What people see dramatised sticks and it will encourage them to exercise their civic responsibilities,” he said.

Adeyemi, however, called on government at all levels to support the agency, particularly in the areas of provision of vehicles and other logistics to aid its effectiveness and efficiency.

NAN