Mr Mike Omeri, the Director-General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), has suggested that Sept. 16, be observed yearly as a National Symbol Day for Nigeria’s Flag and Coat of Arms.
Omeri, who made the proposal at a news conference in Abuja on Wednesday, recalled that the national flag came into existence on Sept. 16, 1959.
He said that the day should be recognised following the directive of President Goodluck Jonathan to the agency to standardise and popularise the correct shape and colours of the national flag.
The director-general said that the directive of the president also covered the correct rendition of the national anthem.
Omeri said that after 98 years of nationhood and 52 years of independence, the country had not set aside a date to observe the symbols.
According to him, other nations of the world have days set aside to honour their symbols with a view to engraving them in the consciousness of their citizens to enhance their unity.
He decried the wide-spread misunderstanding and misrepresentation of the nation’s various national symbols and gross disregard for them.
Omeri advised Nigerians to shun ethnicity and other mundane issues.
He said that the agency was mobilising support for observance of the National Symbol Day.
Omeri called on Nigerians to honour national symbols, showcase their love for them by using and displaying the correct flag and coat of arms and render the correct national anthem.
He asked Nigerians as well as friends of Nigeria to obtain the flag ahead of the 52nd Independence Day on Oct. 1. ?
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