The National Orientation Agency, NOA, has called for a renewed spirit of patriotism and nationality among Nigerians as Nigeria marks her 60th Independence Anniversary.
The NOA Director-General, Dr. Garba Abari, who made the call in a felicitation message signed by the Assistant Director for Press, Paul Odenyi, urged Nigerians to use the occasion to reflect on the fact that Nigeria is their only country.
According to him, the greatness of the country lies in the hands of its citizens.
He said: “At 60 years of independence, Nigeria has come of age and must fully take her place as the giant of Africa, not just in words but in reality. Yet, it will take the unreserved loyalty of our people to our fatherland for this to be.
“We must therefore rethink our overreaching inclinations to our sectional, tribal and religious cleavages and embrace more firmly, now more than ever, our nationhood and collective brotherhood as one united people under God so that together, we can forge a clear path for a better Nigeria.”
Mr Abari pleaded that the next decade for Nigeria be devoted to true national rediscovery.
This, he said, would aid rapid development of the country in the spirit of collectivism as envisioned by the nation’s founding fathers.
He disclosed that the NOA had recently launched citizens’ video competition on social media in a campaign tagged “#4ABETTERNIGERIA”.
According to him, the competition aims to attract youth to submit as well as circulate self-made videos on issues of patriotism and national ethics with amazing prices to be won.
This, he noted, was part of the Agency’s contributions to renew nationalistic fervor among Nigerians as the nation marks her 60th Independence Anniversary.
