The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has directed all Community Orientation and Mobilization Officers (COMOS) in the 774 local governments to memorize the newly signed national anthem by Monday, June 3, 2024.
This directive, issued by NOA Director General Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, aims to ensure a smooth transition to the new anthem, part of the national identity project to promote cohesion, unity, and patriotism.
COMOS, as the agency’s lead officers, are tasked with educating citizens at the grassroots level about government policies and activities.
The NOA is also collaborating with the National Union of Teachers (NUT) to implement the new anthem in schools nationwide.
NOA Deputy Director of Press, Paul Odenyi, quoted the DG as saying, “We are excited to embark on this new chapter in our national history. 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.”
On Wednesday, President Bola Tinubu signed the bill reverting to the former national anthem, “Nigeria We Hail Thee.”
In a circular, the NOA DG urged community officers to take the directive seriously and learn the new anthem by the deadline, emphasizing their role as grassroots marshals for implementing the government’s new policy. As the custodian of national symbols, the NOA is responsible for promoting and preserving the integrity of all national icons, including the anthem.
