The Cross River State Command of the National Orientation Agency has launched a sensitization campaign aimed at educating residents on the newly adopted national anthem and other key national values.
According to The PUNCH, this initiative, which underscores the importance of national symbols, calls on citizens to embrace these symbols as integral elements of Nigeria’s collective identity.
Speaking to journalists in Calabar on Tuesday, the State Director of the agency, Ibor Otu, outlined the NOA’s primary responsibilities, which include communicating government policies, mobilizing public support, and collecting feedback on the newly implemented reforms.
Otu mentioned that the agency’s efforts to promote national values have intensified, particularly in the past year.
“It is also our mandate to promote democracy as the best model of government and promote values that will ensure peace, orderliness, and moral conduct. Over the years, especially in the last year, we have pursued these mandates with extra vigour,” Otu emphasized.
He went on to highlight the recent approval by the Federal Executive Council to restore the dignity and proper usage of national symbols such as the Nigerian flag, anthem, pledge, and coat of arms.
A key aspect of this reform, he noted, is the distinction between how the national anthem is used in various contexts: the first stanza is to be sung at all official events, while the full three stanzas are reserved for significant national celebrations such as Independence Day, Democracy Day, the inauguration of the National Assembly, Children’s Day, Armed Forces Remembrance Day, and Workers’ Day.
Otu also revealed that the third stanza of the national anthem has now been officially adopted as Nigeria’s national prayer, a reflection of the anthem’s deep cultural and patriotic significance.
As the agency responsible for upholding national symbols, NOA has been tasked with ensuring that these symbols are treated with the respect they deserve, including proper display protocols.
“Every September 16 is to be observed as National Symbols Enlightenment Day,” Otu added, highlighting one of the agency’s most recent efforts.
This day, according to him, will be dedicated to raising awareness of national symbols and ensuring they are appropriately displayed, including the proper hoisting of the Nigerian flag on public buildings.
The goal is to foster a stronger sense of national identity, unity, and pride among citizens.
The Director General of the NOA, Malam Lanre Isa Onilu, was represented at the event by Tecy Nnelue, Head of the Department of Orientation and Behavioral Modification.
Onilu reiterated the agency’s core mission of promoting national unity and the importance of stability and progress for Nigeria. He urged Nigerians to recommit to the values that underpin national development.
“NOA is an agency to promote national unity, integration, and values as well as reawakening the consciousness of citizens to embrace and respect all national symbols,” Onilu stated.
He stressed that the agency is focused on redirecting Nigerians, irrespective of their social, ethnic, or religious backgrounds, to uphold the shared values that have shaped the nation’s development.
These values, Onilu explained, include democracy, entrepreneurship, peace, security, freedom, justice, and meritocracy.
To support this mission, the NOA has launched several policies and programs to sustain the Nigerian value system.
These include the nationalization of cartoon animations, the introduction of citizenship studies in schools, the establishment of a Citizens’ Brigade, a global reputational management campaign, value orientation programs for both elected and appointed government officials, and the reintroduction and promotion of national symbols in the National Youth Service Corps and the Industrial Training Fund.
The NOA’s renewed focus on national values and symbols is aimed at fostering a strong sense of unity and patriotism across Nigeria, ensuring that citizens from all walks of life come together under shared ideals for the country’s progress.
