By Our Reporter
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has expressed dismay over the level of abuse of Nigeria’s national symbols, including the flag and currency, saying it was determined to bring to book perpetrators of such anomaly.
The Orientation Agency said it would also sanction organizations that “wrongly place the portrait of Mr. President ” in their offices or hoist torn flags or those flags whose colours are not approved by it.
The Director General of NOA, Malam Lanre Isa-Onilu said this in Calabar, Thursday, during a media briefing on the need for re-orientation of citizens towards National symbols and other nationally acceptable attitudes.
Isa-Onilu, who was represented by the Agency’s Director on Community Safety, Awareness and Complaince, Barr. Tessy Nnalue, said the Agency was embarking on two weeks national sensitization campaigns on 5 thematic areas of concerns in the country’s national life.
While explaining the concept of the”5 thematic areas” of the agency’s focus, the Director General insisted that Nigerians must learn to do things differently.
He said the sensitization campaigns would concentrate on value orientation especially amongst students; respect for the country’s national symbols, support for the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu, collective responsibility on security and sensitization on flood mitigation.
In his remarks, NOA’s Director in Cross River, Mr John Asanya decried attitudes of many Nigerians which tend to worsen the country’s challenges thereby giving the country a bad image internationally.
“Nothing is wrong with Nigeria. Nigerians are the problems of Nigeria but we in NOA are determined to ensure that we have a Nigeria of our dream. NOA is embarking on a massive campaign over these anomalies.
“Government offices, individuals and groups which treats our national symbols with disdain will be sanctioned.
“The Nigerian flag, if hoisted among others, must be taller than the rest and must be in the middle. We will also punish anyone who wrongly places Mr. President’s portrait in the office or who does not use the approved portrait,” he warned.
