By Ngozi Njoku

The Director-General of the National Orientation Agency, Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu, has taken the agency’s campaign on the recently-launched National Values Charter to the Lagos International Festival of Animation (LIFANIMA).

At LIFANIMA’s Kids Fun Day at Animation Park, Mike Adenuga Centre, French Cultural Centre, Ikoyi, Lagos, the director-general told no fewer than 1,200 children to be of good behaviour.

He told them to commit to being exemplary.

The News Agency Of Nigeria (NAN) reports that after the children’s flawless rendition of the three stanzas of the Nation Anthem, Issa-Onilu said he had confidence that the nation’s future would be secure.

Later, at the festival’s Animation Awards, he explained the vision and objectives of the Federal Government’s policy on nationalisation of cartoon content.

He said it was to reduce influence of foreign cartoons on Nigerian children and the effects on fhe country’s value system.

According to him, animation has become a significant tool for communication especially as it targets young people.

He said that Nigerian animators could tap into the opportunity, adding that the agency was ready to work with them.

Earlier, the Founder and Director of LIFANIMA, Mr Muyiwa Kayode, said that the festival began in 2016 after the launch of his animation brand, Turtle Taido, in 2015.

He said that Turtle Taido was the first animated cartoon series for children on a Nigerian television station.

He said that the series had since begotten the Turtle Taido Game Show currently on its Season 6 on the Nigerian Television Authority.

NAN reports that LIFANIMA is Nigeria’s premier animation film festival.

The 2024 edition had 1,106 submissions from 111 countries including 26 African countries. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ijeoma Popoola