By Lilian Ezejiegu
The Anambra State Government is adopting a three-pronged approach of legislation, moral persuasion and enforcement to restore traditional values, promote responsible behaviour and discourage the pursuit of wealth without legitimate work among Ndi Anambra.
The Commissioner for Information and Value Reformation, Dr Law Mefor, disclosed this during an interview in his office at the Secretariat, Awka, on October 27.
Mefor explained that the inclusion of Value Reformation in the Ministry’s mandate reflected Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s determination to address the erosion of societal values and to restore the virtues for which Anambra and the wider Igbo community were historically known.
He identified hard work, integrity, diligence and responsible wealth creation as important values that needed renewed emphasis, and expressing concern over practices that encourage people, particularly young people, to seek wealth without legitimate effort.
According to him, the initiative is being developed through consultations with Igbo experts, civil society organisations and other stakeholders, with discussions contributing to a conceptual framework and position paper for consideration by the Governor.
The Commissioner said the sensitization process would include a radio programme called ‘MALUMEBE’ anchored by the Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS) with live discussions every Wednesday with other five major radio stations to hook live to enable members of the public to engage with issues relating to values and ethical conduct.
He added that town hall meetings and other public engagement activities were also being considered, while the formal launch of the initiative would be undertaken by the state government.
Mefor explained that the intervention would combine moral persuasion with legislation and enforcement, noting that the government intended to encourage voluntary behavioural change while applying relevant laws to address specified misconduct.
He expresses optimism that effective implementation of the programme would help restore positive values, strengthen responsible citizenship and support the broader transformation agenda of the Soludo administration.
Lilian is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State.
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