Nigerians have been advised by the Federal Government to seek permission before using the National Anthem, according to a statement released by the National Orientation Agency (NOA).
The announcement has stirred discussion among citizens, who are now questioning how and when permission should be sought for the anthem, a song that is deeply rooted in Nigeria’s national identity.
Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, the Director General of the NOA, made the call during a press release on Wednesday. He stated that the move is aimed at preventing the misuse or misinterpretation of Nigeria’s revered national symbols, including the anthem and the flag.
In the official statement, Mallam Issa-Onilu emphasized that seeking permission for the use of the anthem is crucial in ensuring that it is not misrepresented or used inappropriately.
“As custodians of Nigeria’s national symbols, the NOA is tasked with preventing all forms of misuse,” Issa-Onilu said.
He further noted that the agency’s role is to preserve the dignity and respect associated with the anthem, which represents the spirit of unity and patriotism in Nigeria.
However, the NOA Director General did not provide specific guidelines on when or in what context the permission should be sought.
This has left many Nigerians wondering if everyday activities such as singing the anthem in schools or at public events would now require government approval.
To promote understanding of this new policy, the NOA has announced plans to hold press conferences across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The campaign will aim to educate the public on the proper use of the national anthem and other national symbols, as well as to address any misconceptions.
The agency also aims to reinforce the importance of respect for national symbols, which are key elements of Nigeria’s identity.
“We are rolling out a sensitisation campaign to make sure that Nigerians understand the importance of seeking permission to use the anthem in the right context,” Issa-Onilu explained.
In addition to the anthem, the Nigerian flag also came under discussion during the announcement.
Issa-Onilu reminded Nigerians that the official colors of the flag are green, white, and green, with the correct shade of green being “Emerald 2.0.”
This clarification comes amid concerns that the flag’s colors are often displayed incorrectly or faded, diminishing the respect associated with the national symbol.
“Our flag is green, white, and green, with Emerald 2.0 being the official shade of green. It is important that Nigerians use the right shade to show respect for the flag,” he said.
Mallam Issa-Onilu also used the opportunity to highlight the recent achievements of the NOA under his leadership.
He pointed out that, before his tenure, the agency was in a neglected state, with little focus on value orientation and social intervention programs.
Previous administrations, according to Issa-Onilu, had been more focused on infrastructure development, leading to the decline of institutions such as the Boys’ Scouts, Girls’ Brigade, and the National Orientation Agency itself.
“Over the years, we have neglected the importance of value orientation, which is critical for the progress of our society,” he said.
He commended President Bola Tinubu’s administration for recognizing the need to restore the focus on national values, as reflected in recent approvals by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
These approvals include the establishment of audio-visual studios, the launch of an updated NOA website, and the creation of the CLHEEAN-NOA Artificial Intelligence voice and chat assistant, among other initiatives.
One of the key initiatives introduced by the NOA is the Citizen Value Brigade (CVB), a program designed to instill Nigerian values in children.
The CVB aims to nurture a new generation of homegrown heroes, with the hope of shaping the future of the nation.
Issa-Onilu explained that the CVB will begin by targeting 1,000 children in each state and the FCT, teaching them the importance of national values and civic responsibility.
He encouraged parents to ensure their children participate in the program, warning that young Nigerians should not look for heroes in foreign cultures.
“We cannot allow our children to search for heroes elsewhere during their formative years,” Issa-Onilu said. “We must raise our own heroes and instill in them the values that will guide Nigeria forward.”
The program is expected to serve as a replacement for foreign influences that are currently dominating Nigerian media, particularly cartoons and other entertainment content aimed at young audiences.
In line with its efforts to promote national unity, the NOA also unveiled the Nigerian Promise, a key aspect of the National Values Charter.
The Nigerian Promise guarantees principles of equality and meritocracy, ensuring that every Nigerian, whether a leader or an ordinary citizen, is held to the same standards.
Issa-Onilu stressed that the responsibility for the country’s progress lies in the hands of both its leaders and its citizens.
“Nigeria cannot move forward without the active participation and adherence to these values by everyone,” he said.
President Bola Tinubu recently signed into law a bill that restores Nigeria’s old national anthem, which had been replaced by the military government in 1978.
The re-adopted anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” was written by Lillian Jean Williams in 1959 and composed by Frances Berda.
The decision to bring back the old anthem has sparked mixed reactions across the country. Some Nigerians welcome the return of a piece of the nation’s history, while others question the need for the change.
Criticism and Public Reactions
The new directive to seek permission before using the national anthem has been met with skepticism by some Nigerians, who believe it may complicate everyday practices such as singing the anthem in schools or at public functions.
“I don’t understand why we need permission to sing the anthem. It’s something we do with pride every day in schools and at events,” said a concerned teacher in Lagos.
Others believe that the government’s move is necessary to protect the sanctity of national symbols.
“It’s important that we respect our anthem and other symbols. This directive will help ensure they are not misused,” said a civil servant in Abuja.
As the NOA rolls out its awareness campaign, it remains to be seen how the policy will be implemented and what specific guidelines will follow.
