The Federal Government has issued a stern warning to Nigerians against using the national anthem without prior permission.
In a statement released on Wednesday, October 8, the Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, emphasized the importance of obtaining clearance to prevent any misinterpretation or misuse.
While the statement did not specify the specific contexts where permission is required, it made it clear that the NOA, as the custodian of national symbols, is committed to safeguarding their integrity.
The statement partly read: “As custodians of Nigeria’s national symbols, the NOA is tasked with preventing all forms of misuse. The DG emphasised that permission must be sought from the Agency before using the National Anthem to avoid misrepresentation.”
Issa-Onilu also addressed the misuse of the Nigerian flag, clarifying that the correct shade of green is Emerald 2.0. He criticized past administrations for neglecting value orientation and social intervention structures, contributing to the decline of institutions like the Boys’ Scouts and Girls’ Brigade.
The current administration, however, recognizes this oversight and has pledged its support to the NOA. Issa-Onilu further highlighted the need to promote local cartoon content to counter the influence of foreign values on Nigerian youth.
