National Orientation Agency (NOA) will recognise designer of the Nigerian flag, the late Pa Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi; Naval Rating Salaudeen Akano, who hoisted the Nigerian flag at midnight, to mark Independence in 1960; and the Commander under whose order Akano hoisted the flag, the late Onwurah Zonyanuno Chiazor.

Also, the agency urged Nigerians to come up with initiatives for solving the country’s economic difficulties; the Japa(emigration) syndrome among youths; insecurity; and poor power supply system.

Director General, Dr Garba Abari, made the call in Abuja, yesterday, at a press conference on the forthcoming commemoration of Citizens and Patriots Day, scheduled for September 30, 2023.

He said: “As our great nation marks 63 years of independence in a few days, precisely October 1, 2023…we can boldly say that although we may not yet be where we desire to be as a nation, we are not where we used to be 63 years ago. We have made significant progress as a people.”

He added that as the country celebrates Patriots Day and Independence Day, it is an opportunity to recall and celebrate the efforts of national heroes.