The Federal Government has urged Nigerians to prioritize patriotism by seeking formal approval before using the national anthem. This measure aims to prevent potential misuse or misinterpretation of this significant national symbol.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Lanre Issa-Onilu, the Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), highlighted the necessity of obtaining permission from the agency before using the anthem or its lyrics. He emphasized that, as guardians of Nigeria’s national symbols, the NOA is responsible for safeguarding these important elements of national identity. “To uphold our commitment to patriotism, permission must be sought from the agency to prevent misrepresentation,” the statement indicated.
Issa-Onilu announced that the NOA plans to conduct sensitization campaigns across all 36 states of Nigeria. These campaigns aim to educate citizens about the agency’s new policies and guidelines regarding the use of national symbols. Through these initiatives, the NOA hopes to foster a deeper understanding of the significance of the national anthem and other patriotic symbols.
Furthermore, the Director General addressed the importance of the Nigerian flag, reiterating that its official colors are green, white, and green, with a specific shade of green referred to as Emerald 2.0. This clarification is part of the broader effort to promote national pride and ensure that citizens respect and uphold the integrity of national symbols.
Issa-Onilu expressed concern that previous administrations placed too much emphasis on infrastructure development while neglecting value orientation. This neglect contributed to the decline of essential social intervention programs, such as the Boys’ Scouts, Girls’ Brigade, WAI Brigade, and even the National Orientation Agency itself. He acknowledged the efforts of President Bola Tinubu in recognizing this gap and supporting the revival of value-based initiatives that strengthen national identity and patriotism.
On the first anniversary of his administration, President Tinubu signed a bill that re-adopted Nigeria’s former national anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee.” Originally composed by Lillian Jean Williams and Frances Berda in 1959, this anthem was dropped by a military government in 1978. Its restoration reflects a renewed commitment to the values of patriotism and national pride, allowing Nigerians to embrace their heritage while promoting unity and respect for national symbols.