NOA deploys 3,000 monitors for elections

BY LAIDE AKINBOADE

ABUJA-In order to ensure a free and fair election in April 2011, the National Orientation Agency, NOA, has deployed 3,000  staff to monitor the poll in all states and wards across the country.

Director-General of the agency, Alhaji Idi Farouk, who stated this  during a one-day in-house training organised for the monitors in Abuja, said the workshop would build capacity for the monitors.

The monitors, he said, were drawn from across NOA formations at the headquarters, states and 774 local government areas of Nigeria

According to him, “the monitors are to observe the progress of the elections and report same promptly.

“This would enable the agency provide accurate, adequate and timely feedback to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and other relevant agencies.”

Farouk, who was represented by the Executive Director, Planning, Research and Statistics of the agency, Alhaji Garba Haruna, said the purpose of the workshop included identifying areas of strength and weakness from previous election and voter registration monitoring, with a view to making improvements.