As Nigeria marks the 2025 edition of National Ordinance Day, the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, has urged citizens to show greater respect and commitment to the country’s national symbols, describing them as pillars of unity, dignity, and identity.

In a press statement  released in commemoration of the day in Abuja, Issa-Onilu reminded Nigerians that the national flag, coat of arms, anthem, pledge, and constitution are not just emblems of sovereignty but enduring representations of the country’s collective journey. 

“Respect for our national symbols is respect for Nigeria itself,” he said. “Each time we hoist the flag correctly, recite the pledge sincerely, or sing the anthem with pride, we affirm our loyalty and commitment to the ideals of our nation.”

National Ordinance Day, celebrated annually on September 16, commemorates the handover of Nigeria’s national symbols at independence in 1960. 

For Issa-Onilu, the day is more than a ceremony; it is an invitation for Nigerians to reflect on the values of unity, discipline, and service that the ordinances embody. 

He explained that reverence for these symbols should be seen as an everyday act of nation-building, not merely an obligation reserved for special occasions.

The national flag, for instance, symbolizes peace and fertility through its green and white colours, while the coat of arms - bearing the black shield, the eagle, and the horses - signifies strength, dignity, and rich cultural heritage. The national anthem and pledge, often recited in schools and public functions, are powerful reminders of the country’s aspirations for faith, justice, and service. 

According to Issa-Onilu, embedding these ideals in the hearts of citizens begins with acknowledging the authority of the symbols themselves.

“September 16 should not just pass as a date on the calendar. It should be a reminder that our national identity rests on values we must live out daily,” he noted. 

“When institutions, communities, and schools consciously integrate respect for our national symbols, we create stronger social cohesion and deeper national pride.”

The NOA boss further assured that the agency will continue its nationwide sensitization campaigns to strengthen citizens’ consciousness of the importance of the ordinances. He said the agency will also work closely with stakeholders across sectors to ensure that the dignity of the country’s symbols is upheld.

For Issa-Onilu, the task is simple but profound: “Our national symbols are more than decorations at state functions. They are the heartbeat of our nationhood. To dishonour them is to dishonour Nigeria itself.”