The Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, has expressed strong support for the National Orientation Agency (NOA)’s efforts to drive behavioural change and national reorientation, assuring that the Ilorin Emirate and people of Kwara State will cooperate fully with the agency’s programmes.

The Emir gave the assurance when he received the Zonal Director of NOA North Central Zone, Dr Priscilla Gondo-Aluor, on a courtesy visit to his palace in Ilorin.

While commending the decision to establish the newly created North Central Zonal Directorate in Kwara, the Emir described the state as a peaceful and welcoming environment. He said the move would not only strengthen the agency’s grassroots mobilisation efforts but also enhance public enlightenment in the region.

“We are fully in support of this initiative, and I assure you of the cooperation of the Ilorin Emirate Council and our people in Kwara. This state is peaceful, accommodating, and ready to host any national institution for the good of the country,” the Emir said.

He also prayed for the success of the current administration in its drive to improve governance and instill positive values among citizens.

In her address, Dr Gondo-Aluor emphasized the importance of involving traditional rulers in the agency’s work, noting that their closeness to the grassroots makes them vital to the success of any reorientation campaign.

“The traditional institution is key to social mobilisation. These are the leaders the people trust, and any effort at behavioural change that excludes them is likely to fall short,” she said.

She explained that the visit was also to inform the Emir about the creation of the North Central Zonal Directorate with headquarters in Kwara, covering Kwara, Kogi, Niger, Nasarawa, Plateau, Benue, and the FCT.

Dr Gondo-Aluor also used the occasion to felicitate the Emir on his 85th birthday, describing his reign as one marked by peace and the emergence of great national figures, including the current NOA Director-General, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu.

“He is a forward-thinking leader, and his innovations are already setting a new pace for the agency,” she added.

Also speaking, the Kwara State Director of NOA, Alhaji Abdulganiyu Dare, said the visit was part of efforts to deepen the agency’s relationship with traditional institutions and celebrate the Emir’s enduring legacy.

The establishment of the zonal office in Kwara, which began operations in February, is aimed at enhancing supervision and improving the impact of national reorientation activities across the North Central region.