**"Bouncing Back to Facts: NOA Urges Nigerian Journalists to Rise Above Misinformation"** In the heat of Nigeria's bustling media landscape, a clarion call has been issued to journalists and media professionals across the country. The Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr Lanre Issa-Onilu, has sounded the alarm on the rapid decline of investigative journalism in Nigeria, emphasizing the need for a return to fact-based reporting in the national interest. This warning comes against the backdrop of a media space increasingly plagued by superficial reporting, misinformation, and social division. Mr Issa-Onilu sees investigative journalism as a vital tool for national re-orientation and democratic growth, capable of promoting fairness, balance, and objectivity. He lamented that the erosion of depth, accuracy, and commitment to verifiable facts has weakened the journalism profession, leaving the public vulnerable to ignorance, manipulation, and conflict. The Director-General stressed that facts remain fundamental to civic orientation and national unity, and that without them, society becomes susceptible to the spread of misinformation. The NOA DG's concerns are not unfounded. The country is grappling with knowledge gaps among citizens, especially on governance and electoral processes. These gaps create fertile ground for misinformation and unhealthy public discourse. In a country where voter education and civic enlightenment are crucial, the limited resources available to NOA are a significant challenge. Mr Issa-Onilu pointed to widespread public misunderstanding of electoral procedures as evidence of the consequences of insufficient civic education and poor-quality reporting. To bridge these gaps, the NOA is offering its support to the Nigerian Guild of Investigative Journalists (NGIJ). The agency is proposing a joint committee between NOA and NGIJ to identify areas of cooperation on public enlightenment campaigns, counter-disinformation initiatives, and mechanisms to strengthen investigative journalism. The proposed collaboration would leverage NOA's nationwide network of Community Orientation and Mobilisation Officers (COMOs), who provide grassroots feedback to government and could serve as credible community-level sources for investigative journalists. As Nigeria navigates the complexities of its democratic journey, the media plays a critical role in shaping public discourse and influencing national development. It is imperative that journalists rise above the din of misinformation and return to fact-based reporting. The NOA's call to action is a timely reminder of the importance of investigative journalism in promoting a more informed and critically engaged citizenry.