By Abubakar Yunusa
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has launched a national awareness campaign on sodium reduction to mark World Hypertension Day, aiming to combat the rising prevalence of hypertension across Nigeria.
The campaign, flagged off at a one-day event in Abuja, aligns with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare’s recently launched national guideline on sodium reduction.
Speaking at the ceremony, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, hailed the initiative as a critical step towards healthier living.
Represented by John Atanda, Director of Food and Safety Quality Programmes, Pate said, “This initiative perfectly aligns with our national guideline. By backing NOA’s activities, we are taking a unified stand to reduce salt consumption across Nigeria.”
The minister emphasised that the collaboration underscores the government’s commitment to public health, leveraging collective expertise to improve Nigerians’ quality of life.
“We are not only reducing salt intake but rewriting the narrative of our health indices,” he added.
The Federal Ministry of Health has consistently supported efforts to promote healthier lifestyles, standing “shoulder to shoulder” with the NOA in driving this campaign, which forms a key part of implementing the national guideline launched in March 2025.
Pate described the campaign as a “catalyst for sustained innovation in public health,” signalling the start of a healthier era for Nigeria.
He urged citizens to adopt lifestyle changes to reduce preventable diseases and enhance well-being.
Officially declaring the campaign open, NOA Director General, Mallam Lanre Isa Onilu, represented by Mrs Theresa Maduekwe, Director of Abuse, Rights and Narcotics, said the initiative is part of the agency’s CLHEEAN Communities programme, which tackles social ills and promotes healthier behaviours.
Free health checks, tests, and screenings were offered at the Old Federal Secretariat Complex in Abuja, demonstrating the NOA’s “Duty of Care” as outlined in the national values charter.
Onilu urged Nigerians to prioritise regular blood pressure checks, reduce salt intake, exercise, and seek medical advice.
“Hypertension, a silent but deadly condition, affects one in three adults globally, with many unaware until severe complications arise,” she noted, highlighting the importance of early detection and healthy lifestyle choices.
The NOA’s campaign seeks to educate Nigerians on the dangers of excessive salt consumption, a major contributor to hypertension. By promoting healthier dietary habits, the initiative aims to prevent hypertension and related conditions, fostering a stronger, healthier nation.
“This is a call to action for all Nigerians,” Maduekwe said. “Good health is not just a personal benefit—it is a national asset.”
