Anambra Information Ministry Unveils Aggressive Value Reformation Campaign, Opens Project Office

By Praise Chinecherem

The Anambra State Ministry of Information and Value Reformation has announced plans to intensify its enlightenment and sensitisation campaign as part of efforts to promote positive values and responsible citizenship across the state.

The Commissioner for Information and Value Reformation, Dr. Law Mefor, disclosed this during the formal opening of a three-room Value Reformation Project Office at the ministry’s headquarters in Awka, the state capital.

Mefor said the campaign would be undertaken in partnership with the Drivers Welfare Association of Nigeria and other stakeholders, describing the initiative as a demonstration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s commitment to the state’s value reformation agenda.

According to him, the extensive sensitisation programme is intended to adequately educate and conscientise citizens and residents before enforcement of the proposed value reformation law.

He, however, stressed that enforcement would only begin after the law had been completed, passed by the Anambra State House of Assembly and assented to by the Governor.

Mefor recalled a recent stakeholders’ engagement convened to explore ways of activating the ministry’s information and value reformation mandate, noting that the meeting resulted in the development of a working manual currently before the Anambra State Executive Council (ANSEC) for consideration and input.

“As you’re aware, the Ministry is no longer just Ministry of Information. The Governor deliberately and intentionally added Value Reformation to it, making it a dual mandate,” Mefor said.

He explained that the ministry’s approach would be built around three key pillars: legislation, moral persuasion and enforcement.

“During our first meeting, we agreed to follow a tripartite approach: legislation, moral persuasion and enforcement. While legislation and enforcement aspects are being handled by the Attorney-General and Ministry of Justice, the ministry will take care of moral persuasion and must start immediately,” he said.

Mefor said the ministry would establish value reformation structures at the state, local government, ward, community and institutional levels.

He also announced plans to expand the existing “Malụmebe” programme on the state-owned Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS) into a multi-station syndicated radio programme.

“The programme to be aired in at least five stations is expected to dominate the airwaves and conscientise Ndi Anambra within three to six months, with sponsorship open to individuals and organisations with clean, patriotic and developmental agendas,” he said.

‘We should not lay ambush with a law’

Mefor emphasised the importance of educating citizens before enforcement, arguing that people should understand the provisions and objectives of the law before sanctions are imposed.

“I hear people often say ignorance of the law is not an excuse. I don’t believe in that personally,” he said.

“Whoever is not aware of the law is not aware of it, and it is somebody’s responsibility to make people aware. It’s our responsibility to inform Ndi Anambra about not only the value reformation law but about all laws. We should not lay ambush with a law against our people.”

He also called for a change in the approach to law enforcement, saying enforcement agencies should prioritise education and correction rather than punishment.

“You see law enforcement agents hiding somewhere for you to make a mistake, then they come out. Something is fundamentally wrong with that approach. Their job is to ensure law and order,” Mefor said.

“Primarily, law enforcement agencies are not revenue-generating agencies, but in our experience, we treat them as such. If they are seen as agencies to ensure law and order, their approach will be different — to correct, to educate. Arrest should be the last option.”

According to him, the government’s strategy is to educate citizens first and subsequently combine persuasion with enforcement when the law takes effect.

“First, there must be education. We need to teach our people why we need to chart a new course. Then when the law and enforcement component kick in, it will be carrot and stick — giving them the opportunity to choose. That is the approach we have to adopt,” he said.

Mefor described the initiative as one based on “moral suasion,” stressing that citizens could be encouraged to embrace positive behaviour when adequately informed and motivated.

“That is why we talk about moral suasion, which appeals to conscience. We are not animals. Given a normal atmosphere, people will prefer a better life and better conduct,” he said.

Ministry targets schools, communities

Mefor called for volunteers and other stakeholders to join the campaign, describing the initiative as a “coalition of the willing.”

He said government funding could be expanded as the initiative gains traction and demonstrates measurable impact.

“We are going to prove, not just to the Governor and government, but to Ndi Anambra, that this is a new dawn and these are the people championing the cause. And we are leaving the door open for other volunteers to join,” he said.

He disclosed that the campaign would operate through five levels: state, local government, ward, community and institutional structures.

Mefor also identified primary schools as a critical component of the campaign, arguing that children could become effective agents of behavioural change within their families.

“For me, if possible, we will start with primary schools. Because if we win these little ones, they will help us carry the campaign among adults, beginning with their own parents,” he said.

“When your child asks you, ‘Mummy, Daddy, why did you throw that pure water sachet outside?’ If it touches you, it will affect you.”

The Commissioner acknowledged that changing deeply entrenched behaviours would take time, noting that the campaign was intended to establish a foundation that could outlive the present administration.

“We are not under any illusion that what has gone wrong in Anambra for decades will disappear in the next three and a half years that remain of Governor Soludo’s administration. But we can lay a foundation that subsequent governments will continue,” he said.

“And who says this campaign must be championed by government alone? Even if subsequent administrations do not give it the premium it deserves, those of us that understand it can continue.”

Drivers’ association pledges support

The President of the Drivers Welfare Association of Nigeria, Comrade Monday Elimigbe, pledged the association’s full support for the value reformation initiative.

Elimigbe described the association as a non-partisan, humanitarian and pan-Nigerian organisation with more than three million members nationwide, including over 5,000 registered members in Anambra State.

“We are partnering with the Presidency on ethics and values for drivers; while in Anambra, we are collaborating with Ministries of Information, Transport, Women Affairs as well as Commerce and Industry,” he said.

“When we heard that His Excellency attached Value Reformation to the Ministry of Information, we felt that Governor Soludo had taken a right decision.”

He added that the association’s collaboration with the ministries reflected its broad-based commitment to promoting ethical conduct and responsible citizenship.

“With our partnership with these four Ministries, this shows we are a broad-based association who are determined to meet our target,” he said.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Obiageli Uchebo, commended partners and stakeholders for their commitment and support towards coordinating the ministry’s policy direction and activities.

She called for the sustainability of the initiative to ensure that the ministry achieves its objectives.

“This is the time for action because we need to change the narrative. We hope that immediately after this event, we will hit the ground running,” Uchebo said.

Among dignitaries at the event were the Director of Operations, Drivers Welfare Club of Nigeria, Elvis Oliver Okolie; President-General of Abatete, Nwadike Chimame; and Prof. Samuel Onwuka of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, among others.

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