National Council adpot NOA’s proposal on NVC, nation symbols

The National Council on Information and National Orientation Agency (NOA) has adpoted proposals aimed at advancing the National Identity Project (NIP) during its 48th session held in Kaduna.

The two memoranda submitted by NOA include proposals for restoring dignity, standardising national symbols, and implementing the National Values Charter (NVC) at sub-national government levels; the council’s spokesperson, Paul Odenyi, disclosed this on Sunday in a statement.

Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, NOA’s Director-General, submitted the proposals as Council memo no NCI/48/2024/14. He notified the council of the Federal Executive Council’s (FEC) earlier approval of measures to revive Nigeria’s value system as part of the National Identity Project.

The adopted memo seeks to implement approved strategies across all government, education, and media levels, fostering a unified national identity and value system.

With the adoption, states will work with the NOA to: Establish Citizens Values Brigade in all Nigerian schools, Develop a compulsory citizenship studies curriculum from primary to tertiary levels, Integrate the NVC into government officials’ retreats, and Support local cartoon creators to promote Nigerian values and heroes
States are also expected to join the diverse committee promoting the National Identity Project (NIP), incorporating value orientation into NYSC and skill-up programs for graduates.

Regarding national symbol standardisation, the council asked state governments to work with NOA state directors to ensure FEC approvals are promoted and implemented accordingly.

The standardization policy includes: The third stanza of the National Anthem as the National Prayer; The first stanza is to be rendered at official/public functions, while the three stanzas are rendered at special occasions like Democracy Day and National Day, and Mandating all MDAs to source flags and other state power ordinances from the NOA.

The 48th meeting was attended by notable figures, including the minister of information and national orientation, Mohammed Idris.

This year’s meeting focused on “Enhancing Public Information Management for Inclusive Governance: Renewed Hope Agenda in Focus.”

The National Council on Information and National Orientation meets annually, comprising state commissioners of information and heads of federal-level information agencies.

It serves as an advisory body on information and reputational management in Nigeria.