The National Orientation Agency announced on Tuesday that the Federal Executive Council has approved its proposal to ensure that the first stanza of Nigeria’s national anthem will be sung at official functions.
Meanwhile, all three stanzas will be reserved for special occasions such as Independence Day, Democracy Day, Children’s Day, and Armed Forces Remembrance Day.
The Director-General of NOA, Lanre Issa-Onilu, represented by Mrs. Olowoyo Ayesola, Director of Human Resources at NOA, spoke to journalists in Lagos about the decision. She also shared that the study of citizenship would become a compulsory part of education from primary to secondary school.
Mrs. Ayesola explained the purpose of these changes: “In the last two weeks, NOA has made significant progress in reorienting value campaigns nationwide. We believe that slogans alone don’t instill values deeply, so we need a more fundamental approach.”
The FEC also approved measures to restore the dignity and standardization of national symbols like the National Flag, Anthem, Pledge, and Coat of Arms. Mrs. Ayesola noted: “The Council has approved that the third stanza of the anthem be adopted as a national prayer.”
The NOA’s goal is to instill values of peace, orderliness, and moral conduct among Nigerians. These changes are aimed at promoting national pride and ensuring a strong sense of citizenship among the people, starting from a young age.
