The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has announced that the Federal Executive Council of Nigeria (FECON) has formally designated the third stanza of the New National Anthem as the national prayer to be used at public events across the country.
Additionally, the first stanza of the anthem is to be sung at all official functions, while all three stanzas will be reserved for special occasions such as Independence Day, Democracy Day, the Inauguration of the National Assembly, Children’s Day, Armed Forces Remembrance Day, and Workers’ Day.
Mallam Lanre Onilu, the Director General of the NOA, made this announcement during a press briefing and stakeholders meeting focused on raising awareness about National Values, the Charter, and the National Anthem at the Akwa Ibom State Directorate of NOA in Uyo. Onilu was represented by Madam Tessy Nnalue, the director of orientation and behavior modification, who noted that the agency has made significant progress in its efforts to refocus its campaigns nationwide in recent weeks.
“As you may know, we have been advocating for a comprehensive approach to value orientation and attitude change. While slogans can be catchy, they do not truly instill these values in our hearts,” Nnalue explained.
She emphasized that the agency’s founding act clearly outlines its responsibilities, including communicating government policies, mobilizing support for them, and providing feedback to the government. It also mandates the promotion of democracy as the ideal form of governance and the endorsement of values that foster peace, order, and moral behavior. “Over the years, particularly in the last year, we have pursued these objectives with renewed energy,” she added.
