BY PRISCA OGBO
THE Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Lanre Onilu has urged Nigerians to recognize the National Values Charter as the new identity of Nigeria, just as the new National Anthem should be acknowledged and respected.
The DG, who was represented by the NOA Director of General Services, Mrs Rebecca Nasamu, gave the charge during a press briefing in Asaba, saying the new National Anthem and value charter portrayed unity which should be understood and highly valued.
She, however, emphasized on the need for the press to lead in this quest for national transformation. “The press has been an age long public messenger and as an Institution, the NOA is confident that with the support of the press, what we are trying to preach about the new identity we are trying to give Nigeria will be taken and accepted.”
She disclosed that, different innovative tools had been designed and incorporated to leverage modern communication technologies and methods, to effectively reach diverse audience, across Nigeria, especially the younger generation, which made up 70 per cent of the Nigerian population.
Furthermore, the Director of NOA, Delta State, Mrs Tracy Ikolomi, emphasizing on the importance of the New Values Charter and National anthem corrected a misconception about the anthem. “The three stanzas should be sung when we have National celebrations like the Independence, democracy and Workers’ Day but for any other activity, only the first stanza should be sang.”
“Spread the news for us that our DG, is not saying that permission should be taken before singing the national anthem, it is our identity and it is expected to be sung whenever there is an official assignment or duty”, she said.
The Delta State Director-General Orientation and Communication Bureau, Fred Oghenesivbe represented by the Director of Orientation and Communication, Agbaragu Timothy, Esq said “We know very well that the values of the country is now being eroded due to various reasons. However, this is a wakeup call to all of us and the ministry is pledging to partner with the NOA, to ensure that not only the national identity of Nigeria but that of Delta State is propagated.”
