FG Insists on Respect for Nigerian Flag, Anthem

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has urged Nigerians to show greater respect and commitment to the nation’s symbols as the country marks the 2025 National Ordinance Day.

In recent years, the agency has intensified campaigns to promote honour for the national flag, anthem, pledge, coat of arms, and other emblems of sovereignty, describing them as vital to Nigeria’s unity and identity.

In August, the NOA launched a two-week nationwide enlightenment campaign, starting on August 20, focusing on five thematic areas, including the Nigerian identity project and the national symbols campaign.

In a statement on Tuesday, NOA Director General Lanre Issa-Onilu explained that National Ordinance Day, celebrated annually on September 16, commemorates the handover of Nigeria’s national symbols at independence. He described it 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 urged citizens to demonstrate patriotism in their interactions with these symbols, noting that giving them proper recognition is both a civic duty and an expression of patriotism. He encouraged schools, communities, organisations, and government institutions to consciously integrate respect for national symbols into daily practices to deepen national identity and strengthen social cohesion.

The agency reaffirmed its commitment to continuous sensitisation and collaboration with stakeholders across the country, while pledging to ensure that Nigerians—especially the younger generation—understand the importance of national symbols and uphold their values.