The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has mandated the adoption of the third stanza of the National Anthem as the official National Prayer of the country.
FEC has endorsed the recitation of the first stanza of the National Anthem at all official functions, reserving the complete three stanzas for special occasions such as Independence Day, Democracy Day, the inauguration of the National Assembly, Children’s Day, Armed Forces Remembrance Day, and Workers’ Day.
These directives were communicated by the Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, during a press briefing on the agency's ongoing programs nationwide at the NOA office in Umuahia, Abia State, on Tuesday. Mrs. Theresa Maduekwe, representing the NOA DG, clarified that the agency, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, submitted various proposals to enhance national value orientation and character, all of which received FEC's approval.
Mallam Issa-Onilu highlighted that NOA, as the custodian of national symbols, has been authorized as the official source of all national symbols to ensure standardization. He also announced the designation of September 16 as National Symbols Enlightenment Day and the compulsory inclusion of citizenship studies in the Nigerian educational system from primary to secondary school levels.
Furthermore, FEC approved the mandatory inclusion of the charter as part of pre-resumption retreats for Federal Executive Council members, National Assembly members, the Judiciary, and other government appointees, among other approvals. The agency encouraged Nigerians to engage with various Federal Government economic transformation and social intervention programs, emphasizing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration's redirection of funds from fuel subsidies to sustainable economic initiatives. It was noted that the previous administration did not allocate funds for subsidies in 2023.
The NOA DG also highlighted several intervention programs, including the Nigeria Youth Investment Fund, Student Loan Scheme, Special Purpose Vehicle, Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiatives, and Agricultural and Food Security Initiatives, among others. Mrs. Regina Iroha, the Abia State Director of NOA, emphasized the agency's efforts to raise awareness among Abia residents about Federal Government policies and programs, urging them to embrace these initiatives and underscoring the importance of upholding peace and unity in the country.