The National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Oyo State has reiterated its commitment to sensitising the public on the Federal Government’s ban on small-packed alcoholic beverages, describing the policy as a strategic move to strengthen social stability and promote responsible consumption.
The agency has directed its workforce to embark on a sweeping nationwide awareness campaign on the prohibition of alcohol packaged in sachets, PET bottles and other small containers. The initiative, it said, aims to galvanise public understanding and secure stakeholder cooperation in reinforcing safer communities.
The message was conveyed during the annual Ramadan lecture held at the Police Central Mosque, State Headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan, themed “Islamic Panacea to Youth Restiveness in the 21st Century.” Isiaka Kehinde, Head of Media and Communications at the NOA Oyo State Directorate, represented the State Director, Mrs Ajolayo Sinmiat Akande, at the event.
The NOA urged the public to amplify the campaign to ensure the Federal Government’s objective of curbing alcohol-related crime is achieved. He noted that the directive aligns with the position of the agency’s Director-General, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, who has emphasised the need for collective action to improve public health outcomes and reduce insecurity.
According to Isiaka, the ban, implemented in collaboration with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), is backed by legislative resolution and took effect from January 1, 2026. He described support for the policy as a civic responsibility and a mark of responsible citizenship.
Kehinde argued that reducing access to cheap alcohol could significantly lower crime rates, suggesting that many offenders rely on intoxication to embolden criminal acts.
He also highlighted additional steps taken by the NOA to address youth restiveness, including the deployment of the agency’s “Chleean” and other AI-generated animated educational content, the expansion of departments such as Abuse Rights and Narcotics, Community Awareness and Compliance, Community Outreach, and Youth Engagement and Inclusion, as well as sustained nationwide youth-focused campaigns.
Earlier, the guest lecturer, Professor Muritala K. Kareem of the Department of Arabic and Islamic Studies, University of Ibadan, urged parents and guardians to complement formal education with moral instruction rooted in faith and discipline.
Delivering a lecture titled “Islamic Panacea to Youth Restiveness in the 21st Century,” Kareem outlined four essential virtues: instilling belief in and fear of God, encouraging good deeds, promoting truthfulness, and cultivating patience in all dealings.
He concluded by calling on all stakeholders to deliberately nurture and protect young people through spirituality and accountability, stressing that moral guidance remains a critical foundation for societal stability.
