The Federal Government has called on Nigerians to seek permission before using the national anthem.
In a statement released on Wednesday by the Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, it was emphasized that obtaining permission is necessary to prevent any misinterpretation of the anthem’s usage.
The DG also announced plans for press conferences across the country to launch a sensitization campaign on the agency’s new policies. However, the statement did not clarify the specific situations in which permission would be required to sing the anthem or use its lyrics.
“As the custodians of Nigeria’s national symbols, the NOA is responsible for preventing any misuse of these important elements. Therefore, permission must be sought from the Agency before using the National Anthem to avoid any misrepresentation,” the statement read in part.
In addition to this, Issa-Onilu addressed the proper design of the Nigerian flag, clarifying that it consists of two green stripes with a white stripe in the centre, with the official shade of green being “Emerald 2.0.”
He highlighted the positive changes the NOA has undergone, including the establishment of audio-visual studios, the launch of an improved website featuring an AI-powered voice and chat assistant called CLHEEAN-NOA, and the recent approval of institutional policies by the Federal Executive Council (FEC), with full backing from President Bola Tinubu.
Issa-Onilu pointed out that past administrations had focused mainly on infrastructure, neglecting the vital role of value orientation. This, he said, led to the decline of social intervention programs like the Boys’ Scouts, Girls’ Brigade, and the WAI Brigade, as well as the National Orientation Agency itself.
However, he praised the current administration’s commitment to correcting this oversight, with President Tinubu fully supporting the agency’s efforts. This support is reflected in the recent FEC approvals, which focus on national value orientation and the National Identity Project.
Speaking about the newly established Citizen Value Brigade (CVB), Issa-Onilu urged Nigerians to guide their children to seek heroes from within their own country, especially during their formative years. The CVB aims to instil Nigerian values in the youth, starting with 1,000 children per state and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), fostering future generations of local heroes.
He also emphasized the need for more local cartoon content to counter the influence of foreign media, which often conveys values that may not align with Nigeria’s cultural identity.
Issa-Onilu reiterated that both leaders and citizens share equal responsibility for the nation’s progress. He explained that under the “Nigerian Promise,” a core element of the National Values Charter, principles of equality and meritocracy are guaranteed to all citizens, whether in positions of leadership or among the general public.
He warned that without active participation and adherence to these core values, Nigeria’s progress would be hindered.
Additionally, the DG mentioned that on the first anniversary of his presidency, President Tinubu signed a bill into law reinstating Nigeria’s original national anthem, which was replaced by a military government in 1978. The anthem, titled “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” was written by Lillian Jean Williams in 1959 and composed by Frances Berda.
