As Nigeria marks its 65th Independence Anniversary, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) has urged Nigerians to move beyond ceremonial celebrations and embrace a renewed sense of patriotism, responsibility, and value-driven citizenship that reflects the ideals upon which the country was founded.
By Chimezie Godfrey
As Nigeria marks its 65th Independence Anniversary, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) has urged Nigerians to move beyond ceremonial celebrations and embrace a renewed sense of patriotism, responsibility, and value-driven citizenship that reflects the ideals upon which the country was founded.
The Director-General of NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, in his Independence Day goodwill message, called on citizens to reflect deeply on what it means to be Nigerian, drawing strength from the nation’s diversity, resilience, and shared aspirations for unity, peace, and progress.
Issa-Onilu stressed that the anniversary provides Nigerians with another opportunity to rededicate themselves to the core national values of discipline, integrity, self-reliance, and social justice.
“The future of Nigeria depends not just on leaders in office, but on how every citizen chooses to uphold these values in everyday life,” he said.
While acknowledging President Bola Tinubu’s ongoing efforts to revive the economy, he urged Nigerians to embrace the celebration as a call to deepen their commitment to nation-building through civic responsibility, volunteerism, and active community participation.
According to him, true patriotism is demonstrated not only through symbolic acts but also through the daily conduct of citizens by upholding national values, showing respect for national symbols, and adhering to the rule of law.
Issa-Onilu also charged institutions of learning, faith-based organisations, traditional rulers, and civil society groups to use the occasion to lead community conversations on national identity, cultural preservation, and the importance of active citizenship in a democracy.
He reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to sustained advocacy for civic values, public awareness on government programmes, and national unity. He urged Nigerians, both at home and in the diaspora, to proudly reaffirm their allegiance to the nation and work collectively towards building the Nigeria of their dreams.