Nigerians Must Get Approval Before Using National Anthem, FG Warns

The Nigerian government warns citizens to seek approval before using the national anthem, stressing the need for proper respect and adherence to protocol.

The Federal Government has advised Nigerians to obtain permission prior to using the national anthem.

On Wednesday, the Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, stated that obtaining permission is essential to prevent any potential misinterpretation.

He also announced that press conferences will be conducted in every state to kick off the awareness campaign about the agency’s new policies.

He did not specify the context in which permission is needed before the anthem can be sung or its lyrics used.

The statement partially read: “As the protectors of Nigeria’s national symbols, the NOA is responsible for preventing any form of misuse. The Director-General stressed that permission from the Agency must be obtained before using the National Anthem to prevent misrepresentation.”

He further explained that the Nigerian flag consists of green, white, and green stripes, with the precise shade of green being Emerald 2.0.

He observed the agency’s transformation from its previously neglected state, highlighting major accomplishments such as setting up audio-visual studios, launching an enhanced NOA website with the CLHEEAN-NOA Artificial Intelligence voice and chat assistant, and securing recent approval of institutionalization policies by the Federal Executive Council (FEC), all backed by full support from President Bola Tinubu.

The DG clarified that past administrations concentrated exclusively on infrastructure development, overlooking the essential importance of value orientation. This neglect contributed to the decline of social intervention organizations such as the Boys’ Scouts, Girls’ Brigade, WAI Brigade, and even impacted the National Orientation Agency itself.

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He mentioned that the current administration has acknowledged this oversight, with President Tinubu offering his support to the agency.

He mentioned that this support is evident in the recent approvals by the Federal Executive Council, all of which focus on value orientation and the National Identity Project.

Mallam Issa-Onilu, discussing the recently launched Citizen Value Brigade (CVB), encouraged Nigerians to look within their community for heroes during their children’s formative years instead of seeking them elsewhere.

He stated that the NOA had obtained approval to set up this social institution, aimed at instilling Nigerian values in children. The initiative will begin with 1,000 children from each state and the FCT.

He stated that the goal of the initiative is to nurture local heroes for future generations to follow.

He emphasized the need to produce local cartoon content as a way to counteract the influence of foreign values on young Nigerians.

The Director General reaffirmed that the responsibility for national progress is equally shared between leaders and citizens.

He explained that the Nigerian Promise—a central component of the National Values Charter—includes principles of Equality and Meritocracy, which are assured to all citizens, whether they hold leadership roles or are part of the general population.

He cautioned that Nigeria’s progress relies on active participation and commitment to these values.

On the first anniversary of his presidency, President Tinubu signed into law a bill reinstating Nigeria’s former national anthem, which had been replaced by a military government in 1978.

The anthem that starts with “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” was reinstated and originally written by Lillian Jean Williams in 1959, with music composed by Frances Berda.