Upper House Assigns National Orientation Agency to Promote Discipline, Cites Connection Between Societal Breakdown and Rising Crime

The Senate has urged the National Orientation Agency to step up its public enlightenment campaigns to combat the growing problem of indiscipline in the country, citing its contribution to rising insecurity and erosion of national values.

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Lawmakers have also called on the Federal Government to establish a comprehensive National Re-Orientation and Civic Responsibility Programme aimed at promoting discipline, patriotism, integrity, and responsible citizenship among Nigerians.

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The Senate's resolutions were prompted by a motion titled “The Growing Menace of Indiscipline in Nigerian Society”, which was sponsored by Senator Dachung Pam Mwadkon, representing Plateau North.

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The upper chamber expressed concern over the worsening culture of indiscipline across various sectors, including traffic violations, vandalism, workplace misconduct, and misuse of social media, warning that if left unchecked, it could undermine national security, economic growth, education, and democratic stability.

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The Senate has also urged government agencies to strengthen youth development programmes, skills acquisition, employment opportunities, and social interventions to address the root causes of indiscipline.

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Furthermore, the Senate has called on political leaders, public office holders, traditional rulers, religious institutions, schools, and civil society organisations to set a good example and promote accountability, civic responsibility, and ethical conduct.

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Senator Mwadkon, who moved the motion, stated that indiscipline has become widespread and is contributing to rising insecurity, erosion of values, and declining public confidence in governance, citing causes such as weak civic education, unemployment, and poor parenting.

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He warned that failure to address the trend could lead to further social instability, criminality, and political unrest, emphasizing the need for urgent action to reverse the growing culture of indiscipline.

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Senate President Godswill Akpabio emphasized the need for renewed civic education, saying that indiscipline is a key driver of criminal behaviour in the country, and that discipline should start from the home.

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Akpabio noted that Nigerians often obey rules when abroad but disregard them at home, and urged the National Orientation Agency to intensify efforts to restore civic values, especially among young people, to build a more orderly and responsible society.