By Michael Nnebife
The National Orientation Agency, NOA, will not rest on its oars until every citizen of Nigeria begins to, not only recite, but also live out the spirit of the nation’s new National Anthem.
The Director General of the Agency, Mallam Issa Onilu, said this in a press conference organized by the Anambra State Directorate of the Agency, at Ebele Ofunneamaka Okeke Federal Secretariat Complex, Awka, for the Agency’s nationwide sensitization on the National Anthem and National Values Charter.
The Director General, represented by the Deputy Director, Procurement, Abuja, Mrs Florence Nwolisa, said, the Anthem and the Values Charter aimed to inspire national unity and patriotism among Nigeria’s citizens.
The Director General said the Anthem was carefully crafted to reflect the aspirations, dreams, and values of modern Nigeria, with particular emphasis on unity, integrity, and progress, while honouring the sacrifices of the nation’s heroes past.
‘This anthem is more than just a song; it is a rallying cry for every Nigerian to contribute positively to the growth of our nation.
‘It is a reminder that regardless of our differences in culture, ethnicity, or religion, we are bound by one identity, Nigeria,’ Mallam Onilu said.
He explained that the Nationwide Sensitization programme would include various efforts to educate the public on the anthem’s meaning and significance.
‘We will ensure that its words are not just recited, but lived out by all citizens.
‘From schools to public institutions, we want every Nigerian to sing the anthem with pride and conviction, knowing that they are part of a collective movement for national progress,’ Onilu said.
He stated that the Federal Executive Council had mandated that the first stanza of the Anthem be rendered at all official functions, the three stanzas should 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.
‘Similarly, the third stanza has been adopted as the new National Prayer to further inspire unity and greater patriotism among Nigerians,’ the NOA Chief noted, while speaking on the National Values Charter, which, he said, ‘outlines core principles of democracy, equality, transparency, peace, respect for diversity, and integrity, providing a moral compass for both citizens and the government.’
He said the Charter which established mutual expectations, where the government pledged accountability and the citizens upheld their civic duties, would soon be unveiled by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Also speaking, the Director, Anambra State NOA Directorate, Mr Edozie Ajaegbu, who noted that governance was a two-way traffic, explained that the charter comprised seven promises made to Nigeria’s citizens by the Federal Government, and seven core commitments expected of the citizens by the government.
According to him, the government’s promises included equality, employment, peace and security, inclusiveness, freedom and justice, among others, while the citizens’ seven core commitments involved discipline, duty of care, tolerance, among others.
The State Director expressed optimism that if the government and the citizens could keep those promises and commitments, Nigeria would undoubtedly be on the path to tranquility, long lasting peace and progress.
Contributing, the State Deputy Director, Programmes, Mr Remigius Obi, gave a detailed analysis of the third stanza of the new National Anthem, stating that its essence was to eliminate all that divided Nigerians as one people.
Mr Obi therefore appealed to media practitioners in the country to partner NOA to ensure that all the citizens embraced and upheld the spirit of the new Anthem, as well as that of the Values Charter.
