
Seek permission before using National Anthem – FG tells Nigerians
The Federal Government has advised Nigerians to seek permission before using the national anthem to prevent misinterpretation.
In a statement on October 8, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), emphasized that the agency must be consulted before the anthem is sung or its lyrics used, although he did not specify the exact contexts for this permission.
He highlighted the NOA’s role in protecting national symbols and clarified that the Nigerian flag consists of green and white, specifically in the shade of Emerald 2.0. Issa-Onilu also noted that previous administrations focused on infrastructure at the expense of value orientation, which contributed to the decline of social initiatives. He stated that the current administration recognizes this issue, with President Tinubu supporting the agency, and stressed the need for local cartoon content to counter foreign influences on Nigerian youth.