The Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, has urged digital media practitioners across Nigeria to uphold greater responsibility, accuracy, and ethical conduct, emphasizing that strengthening corporate online media is vital to national development.

Issa-Onilu made the call in a goodwill message delivered at the 2025 Investiture, Public Lecture & Awards of the Association of Corporate Online Editors (ACOE), held on Tuesday at the NICON Luxury Hotel, Abuja. He was represented by the Director of Media and Communications at NOA, Alhaji Bala Musa.

Commending ACOE for its contributions to shaping national discourse and raising the standards of digital journalism, the NOA DG described the event’s theme, “Strengthening Corporate Online Media for National Development,” as both timely and critical in an era where digital platforms increasingly influence public opinion and national engagement.

He noted that digital media has become “the heartbeat of public communication,” serving as the primary space where narratives are formed and citizens interact with national issues. He stressed the need for online editors and journalists to prioritize accuracy, integrity, balance, and responsibility in their reportage.

Issa-Onilu referenced the Federal Government’s National Values Charter—approved in September 2024—as an ethical framework guiding responsible digital behaviour and public communication. He added that NOA is actively upgrading its communication systems and public explainer materials to strengthen clarity, transparency, and trust in government information.

Reaffirming NOA’s commitment to promoting credible communication, he pledged continued partnership with reputable online media organisations such as ACOE to combat misinformation and uphold strong editorial standards across the digital media landscape.

During the ceremony, ACOE presented Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu with an Exceptional Leadership Award in recognition of his contributions to responsible public communication, national orientation, and media ethics. The award was received on his behalf by Alhaji Bala Musa.

The NOA DG congratulated ACOE’s leadership, organisers, award recipients, and practitioners, encouraging them to continue championing truth, unity, and national values across Nigeria’s digital space.