The Director General, National Orientation Agency, Lanre Issa-Onilu has diffused the notion that the reintroduced national anthem was written and bequeathed to Nigerians by colonialists.
He explained that the anthem was adopted after a cursory assessment of entries from both Nigerians and foreigners by a panel of six Nigerians.
Speaking with newsmen in Uyo on Friday May 31 during his working visit to Akwa Ibom State, the DG acknowledged that though the economy of the country is dwindling, there is need to address the disunity plaguing the country which he said, the reintroduced national anthem will go a long way to help.
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Onilu revealed that the national anthem is an aspect of the National Identity projects of the Federal Government.
“The national anthem was not written by a colonialist, in that sense. There was a national competition and entries were taken from people including Nigerians and foreigners.
“There was a panel of six Nigerians who came together to select a song that happened to be by a foreigner. It was also a Nigerian who sang it the way we are singing it. So, it is a whole process.
“What is important is that those things are speaking about us. ‘Though tribes and tongues may differ, in brotherhood we stand.’ If you begin to say this on daily basis, it has a way of reminding you that the next person is your brother.
“The issue with National Anthem goes beyond memorization. It is just an element of the national identity project of this federal government.
“There is an omnibus national identity project that the government is doing, of which the national anthem is an aspect of it.
“The entire value system of this country that will make us to be proud again as Nigerians. We have had this ongoing in the last five months.
“NOA has set up different committees, cutting across the demographics in this country and on January 17th, the final report of what we call national values chapter was submitted and the Minister of Information received the value chatter.
“The National Anthem is the first step in many things to come that NOA and the Federal Government is doing to reenergize all of us, to awaken our consciousness.
“It is like a commitment you are making to hand onto your children a banner without stain. It is also a promise of equity in the country, where no man is oppressed. So, these lines in this national anthem are by far more relevant to this country than the previous ones.”
The Director General appealed to Nigerians to be patient with federal government as President Bola Tinubu is doing everything possible to change the narrative.
