In the spirit of the national ordinance day, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) has called on Nigerians to cherish and respect the Nigerian national symbols.
The agency’s director in Kaduna, Hamisu Mayere, made the call on Wednesday, in a statement issued through Mr Abubakar Argungu, its public relations head.
Mr Meyere mentioned the national symbols to include the national flag, Nigerian currencies, coat of arms, national anthem and the constitution, among others.
He said that the agency joined other Nigerians to celebrate the day, which since 2012 is marked on the 16th of September of every year.
Mr Meyere explained that the celebration was to commemorate the date of the formal handing over of the symbols of Nigeria’s nationhood and sovereignty to the indigenous government by the then colonial authority.
The state director also explained that distorting or mutilating any of the symbols constitute a punishable offence as enshrined in the constitution.
He also urged the citizenry to always exhibit Nigeria’s core values of patriotism, religious tolerance, discipline, self-reliance, dignity of labor, integrity, honesty and social justice in whatever they do.
This, according to him, would bring about peaceful coexistence and progress in Nigeria.
Mr Meyere said, “This is in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration of President Bola Tinubu.”
(NAN)
