The National Orientation Agency has charged Nigerians to show greater respect and commitment to the country’s national symbols, as the nation marks the 2025 National Ordinance Day.
The agency has, in recent years, intensified campaigns to instil respect for the national flag, anthem, pledge, coat of arms, and other emblems of sovereignty, stressing that these symbols remain central to Nigeria’s unity and identity.
In August, the agency unveiled a two-week nationwide enlightenment campaign, beginning on August 20, on five thematic areas, including the Nigerian identity project and the national symbols campaign.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Director General of the NOA, Lanre Issa-Onilu, said the National Ordinance Day, celebrated annually on September 16, commemorates the handover of Nigeria’s national symbols at independence, and serves as a reminder of the values of unity, discipline, and service that bind the nation together.
“Respect for our national symbols is respect for Nigeria itself.
“Each time we hoist the flag correctly, recite the pledge sincerely, or sing the anthem with pride, we affirm our loyalty and commitment to the ideals of our nation,” he said.
Issa-Onilu called on citizens to demonstrate patriotism through their interactions with these symbols, noting that giving proper recognition to the symbols is “both a civic duty and a mark of patriotism.”
He encouraged schools, communities, organisations, and government institutions to consciously integrate respect for national symbols into their daily practices to help deepen national identity and strengthen social cohesion.
It reaffirmed its commitment to continuous sensitisation and collaboration with stakeholders nationwide, as it also pledged to ensure that Nigerians, especially the younger generation, understood the importance of national symbols and uphold their values.
