C’River NOA advises residents on national anthem

The Cross River State Command of the National Orientation Agency has sensitized residents of the state on the new national anthem, and other national values charters and charged citizens to embrace all national symbols as signs of collective identity.

The state Director of the agency, Ibor Otu, while addressing journalists in Calabar on Tuesday, said the agency is mandated to communicate government policies, programmes and activities; as well as mobilise support and process feedback to government on the new NOA reforms.

Otu added, “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 further disclosed that the Federal Executive Council had approved the restoration of dignity and standardisation of national symbols such as the national flag, the national anthem, the national pledge and the coat of arms, noting that the first stanza of the national anthem is to be rendered at all official functions, while the three stanzas are to be for special occasions such as Independence Day, Democracy Day, inauguration of the National Assembly, Children’s Day, Armed Forces Remembrance Day and Workers’ Day.

He also said that the third stanza of the new national anthem has been adopted as national prayer, adding that NOA as custodian of the national symbols must ensure standardisation and collective respect for all national symbols.

He added, “Every September 16 is to be observed as national symbols enlightenment day in the country. Hence, NOA is working vigorously to promote these symbols and to ensure that they are accorded respect, properly displayed and handled, including the hoisting of the national flag in public buildings, in order to build up love for the country, strong national identity, unity and pride.”

The Director General of the agency, Malam Lanre Isa Onilu, represented by the Head of the Department of Orientation and Behavioural Modification, Tecy Nnelue, underscored the importance of national unity, stability and progress.

He said, “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 added, “It becomes highly important to redirect all Nigerians, irrespective of class, tribe, ethnicity and religion to the ideals and values of which we were known and used to build our societies and institutions. To demonstrate shared values such as equality, democracy, entrepreneurship, employment, peace, security, inclusivity, freedom and justice and meritocracy.”

He revealed that NOA has instituted policies to sustain the Nigerian value system such as the nationalisation of cartoon animation, citizenship study, citizens’ brigade, global reputational management campaign, orientation program for appointed and elected government officials, incorporation of value orientation as part of NYSC and ITF, reintroduction and promotion of national symbols.