The Federal Government has urged Nigerians to obtain formal approval from the National Orientation Agency, NOA, before using the national anthem to prevent any potential misuse or misinterpretation.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Lanre Issa-Onilu, the Director General of NOA, underscored the importance of seeking permission from the agency before utilizing the anthem or its lyrics. “As custodians of Nigeria’s national symbols, the NOA is tasked with preventing all forms of misuse. Permission must be sought from the agency to avoid misrepresentation,” the statement read.
Additionally, he addressed concerns about the Nigerian flag, reaffirming that its official colours are green, white, and green, with the designated shade of green being Emerald 2.0.
The DG expressed disappointment that previous administrations prioritized infrastructure development over value orientation, which has led to the decline of vital social intervention programs like the Boys’ Scouts, Girls’ Brigade, and the WAI Brigade, as well as the National Orientation Agency itself.
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He commended President Bola Tinubu for recognizing this gap and supporting the revival of value-based initiatives. This comes on the heels of the President’s signing of a bill that re-adopts the old national anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” marking its return after being dropped by a military government in 1978. The anthem, originally written by Lillian Jean Williams and composed by Frances Berda in 1959, has now been restored, leading to this renewed emphasis on proper usage.
As part of this campaign, the NOA plans to conduct sensitization campaigns across all 36 states to clarify these new policies and guidelines regarding national symbols. This initiative is expected to educate citizens on proper usage and respect for national symbols, including not just the anthem but also other representations such as the flag and pledge.
In summary, this directive reflects an ongoing effort by Nigeria’s government to instill a sense of national pride and responsibility among its citizens while ensuring that national symbols are used appropriately and respectfully.
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