National Orientation Agency, NOA, in Niger has started a public enlightenment campaign on Nigeria’s National Anthem and National Values Charter.
Malam Yahaya Gbongbo, State Director of NOA, said at a news conference in Minna on Thursday that the aim was to promote national unity, patriotism, and shared values among Nigerians.
“The campaign, which will run from October to December 2024, focuses on the National Anthem and the National Values Charter”, he said.
Gbongbo said Nigeria’s national consciousness had faced challenges in recent years, including growing distrust in government institutions, diminishing loyalty to the state, and eroding patriotism.
He said that the campaign sought to address these issues by reinvigorating the spirit of unity, patriotism, and national pride across the country.
He said the key elements of the campaign was to reinforce loyalty to the nation, promote civic responsibility, inculcate national values in the youths, engage Nigerians in diaspora and leverage the power of the media.
According to him, the agency will partner with media organisations to disseminate the message of national reorientation.
He disclosed that the National Values Charter was divided into two sections which were the Nigerian Promise with seven core promises made by the country.
He listed them to include; equality, democracy, entrepreneurship, peace and security, inclusivity, freedom and justice, and meritocracy.
He said the second charter was Citizen’s Code, which also consisted of seven-point obligations of citizens such as discipline, duty of care, tolerance and respect, leadership and patriotism and transparency.
According to him, others are accountability, and integrity, family values and environmental awareness, dignity of labour, resilience, and self-reliance.
He urged the people to participate in the campaign, embracing the values enshrined in the National Anthem and the National Values Charter by working together to build a stronger and more prosperous nation.
