Nigeria: NOA DG directs community officers to learn new anthem within 72 hours
In a significant move towards fostering national identity and unity, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) has issued a directive mandating all Community Orientation and Mobilization Officers (COMOS) across the 774 Local Governments in Nigeria to memorize the newly reinstated National Anthem within 72 hours.
The directive, issued by the Director General of NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, requires COMOS officers to commit the anthem to memory by Monday, June 3, 2024.
This initiative is part of the NOA’s efforts to facilitate a seamless transition to the reinstated anthem, as part of a broader national identity project aimed at promoting national cohesion, unity, and patriotism.
COMOS officers serve as the Agency’s frontline personnel in local governments, responsible for enlightening citizens about government policies, programs, and activities.
“We are excited to embark on this new chapter in our national history,” said DG Lanre Issa-Onilu.
“We believe that this new National Anthem will inspire a sense of pride and unity among Nigerians, and we are committed to ensuring that every citizen has access to it.”
The NOA is collaborating closely with the National Union of Teachers (NUT) to ensure that schools nationwide begin using the reinstated National Anthem as soon as possible.
President Bola Tinubu recently assented to the bill that restored “Nigeria we hail thee” as the national anthem, marking a significant change from the current anthem, “Arise, O Compatriots.”
In a circular distributed to COMOS officers, the NOA DG emphasized the importance of the directive, stating, “You will be the grassroots marshals for the implementation of this new policy of government.”
As the custodian of the nation’s symbols, including the national anthem, the NOA has the mandate to promote and preserve the integrity of all national icons.
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