The National Council on Information and National Orientation has adopted two key proposals from the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to institutionalise the National Identity Projects across states.
This was disclosed in a statement made available to journalists by the deputy director, Press, of the agency, Paul Odenyi, yesterday in Abuja.
The two memoranda submitted by the NOA include proposals for the restoration of dignity and standardisation of national symbols, as well as the implementation of the provisions of the National Values Charter (NVC) at sub-national levels of government.
According to the statement, the Director-General of the NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, submitted the proposals as Council Memo No. NCI/48/2024/14 and informed the council of the earlier approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) of measures to revive Nigeria’s value system as part of the National Identity Project.
“Specifically, the adopted memo seeks to implement the approved strategies across all levels of government, education, and media, fostering a unified national identity and value system,” the statement read.
The statement further noted that with the adoption, states are to collaborate with the NOA to establish Citizens’ Values Brigades in all schools across Nigeria, develop a curriculum for citizenship studies as a compulsory subject from primary to tertiary levels, integrate the NVC into retreats for government officials, and support local cartoon creators to promote Nigerian values and heroes.
“Other expectations from the states, in line with the council’s resolution, include joining the diverse committee for the promotion of the National Identity Project (NIP), which will incorporate value orientation into NYSC programs and skill-up initiatives for graduates,” the statement added.
Regarding the restoration of dignity and standardisation of national symbols, the statement revealed that the council directed state governments to work with NOA state directors to ensure that FEC approvals are promoted and implemented in their respective states.
The standardisation policy includes. “Adoption of the third stanza of the National Anthem as the National Prayer.
“Rendering of the first stanza of the National Anthem at official/public functions, while all three stanzas are to be rendered only on special occasions, such as Democracy Day, National Day, the inauguration of the National Assembly, Armed Forces Remembrance Day, Workers’ Day, and Children’s Day.
“Mandating all MDAs to source the national flag and other ordinances of state power exclusively from the NOA.”
