By Chibuike Nwabuko
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – Director General of the National Orientation Agency, Dr. Garba Abari has read riot acts to corporate organizations and government agencies involved in the poor hoisting of the nation’s flag.
Abari who said sanction would be meted on violators stated this on Wednesday in Abuja, at the unveiling of the “One Nation Project”, which coincides with September 16, 1960, when the British Colonial administration handed over Nigeria’s Coat of Arms; National flag and other national symbols formally to Nigeria.
Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Abari said the Ordinances Act is being re-worked and penalties have been set for the wrong hoisting of flag and other related national symbols.
Abari said, “Legislative action has been undertaken, so there shall be stiff penalties for the abuse of the national flag.”
“We have taken various steps to educate Nigerians on the proper hoisting of the flag, we have reached out to all Ministries, corporate bodies and organizations hoisting flags in their premises, calling their attention to the appreciation of the national flag, sourcing of the flag and from where it should be sourced”.
The NOA boss also stressed that corporate organizations have been informed via writing, on the need to get the proper color of the national flag flown in their business premises.
Speaking earlier on the “One Nation Project” Dr Abari said the agency since 2012, had championed the national observance of September 16 as a National Ordinance Day.
According to him, “it is the desire to rekindle patriotism in Nigerian citizens that NOA and its partners, Effects Best Perfect Solution, will soon unveil a nation-building initiative tagged “ One Nation Project” to mobilize Nigerians to place national interests above personal and regional interests”.
Abari added that the project which forms part of the activities to mark the 60th Independence Anniversary of the nation, will commence with the September 16 Ordinance Day Celebration”.
“The One Nation Project is centered around the Nigerian flag as a rallying and unifying symbols to reignite citizens passion for the country, at such a time when most Nigerians are turning towards their ethnic and religious inclinations more than the corporate existence of the country.
The project will among other things, feature two major aspects – a national tour of the Nigerian flag across the six geo-political zones of the country called “ Tour De Flag” and a family reality show tagged “ Citizens Reality Show”- both aimed at eliciting a national sense of pride in the country, its national symbols and its rich diversities.
Those present at the unveiling were Nollywood actor, Ali Nuhu, Music Mentor Benneth Ogboewi and music artiste, Yinka Davies, who were joined by NOA strategic partners, Temitope Jemirigbe and Adeleke Ajayi.
