By our correspondent
Former Inspector General of Police, IGP, Sir Mike Okiro has harped on the need for Nigerians to rise, to rebuild, and to reimagine the future of the country through partnership with the Diaspora stakeholders and the reward for national patriotism and excellence.
This is even as the former IGP has declared that the reintroduction of the country’s Indigenous national anthem, ‘Nigeria We Hail Thee’ by President Ahmed Bola Tinubu is a profound gesture of our cultural reclamation, hence the theme for upcoming The NigeriaFIRST HONORS AWARDS 2025 and POST NIGERIA 65TH INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY CONFERENCE ABUJA.
The reintroduction of the indigenous national anthem, he added, is also a lyrical embodiment of Nigeria’s shared values, unity and enduring hope.
Okiro said these at a press briefing to mark his post-Independence reflection of Nigeria at 65 ahead of the future NigeriaFIRST™ HONORS ceremony.
Okiro, who is also the Board Chairman of NigeriaFIRST™ Foundation, said, “The reintroduction of our Indigenous national anthem, ‘Nigeria We Hail Thee’ by President Tinubu is a profound gesture of cultural reclamation.
“It is a lyrical embodiment of our shared values, our unity, and our enduring hope”, he stressed.
Okiro, who was among the four young pupils entrusted with the national honor of lowering the Union Jack and hoisting the Nigerian flag for the very first time in history at Nigeria’s Independence on 1st October, 1960, declared that the moment was not only ceremonial, but spiritual and emotional.
In the words of the former IGP, “OCTOBER 1ST is not merely a date, it is a sacred milestone etched into the soul of our nation. I speak not only as a patriot but as a living witness to history.
“On that fateful morning of October 1st, 1960, I stood among three young pupils entrusted with the national honor of lowering the Union Jack and hoisting the Nigerian flag for the very first time in history.
“That moment was not only ceremonial, it was spiritual and emotional.
“Our flag is not just cloth; it is covenant. It is the embodiment of our collective identity, our aspirations, and our solemn pledge to build a nation worthy of its promise”, he said.
Continuing, Okiro said, “As Nigeria commemorates 65 years of sovereign existence, NigeriaFIRST™ FOUNDATION, Nigeria’s foremost pro-national patriotism platform registered as a trademark under the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, extends its heartfelt congratulations to His Excellency Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; Sen. Remi Tinubu, First Lady of Nigeria; Sen. Kashim Shettima, Vice President of Nigeria and Senator Godswill Akpabio, President of The Senate and Chairman of the 10th National Assembly.
“We heartily salute some of our performing Governors of Delta, Nassarawa, Oyo, Niger, Akwa-Ibom, Imo and Cross River States as well as the working FCT Minister.
“We pay profound tribute to our revered Grand Patron of NigeriaFIRST™ FOUNDATION, His Royal Highness Alhaji Dr. Yahaya Abubakar, the ETSU NUPE and Chairman of the Niger State Traditional Rulers Council, who had an exclusive Press Briefing during the consolidated Diaspora Solidarity visit by the Diaspora Ambassador of NigeriaFIRST™ FOUNDATION, Amb. Obinna Ejiaya from Australia.
“That event served as a major part of the programs and activities that marked the 1ST OCTOBER ‘GREEN WHITE GREEN’ OPENING CEREMONY on 1st October, 2025, at the NUJ Press Centre, Utako Abuja. Indeed His Highness’ exclusive media parley under the banner of NigeriaFIRST™ FOUNDATION has since ignited a renewed national consciousness rooted in peace, unity, and patriotic purpose which was the anchor point of our Diaspora Ambassador from Australia”, he said.
“As a testament to our Diaspora commitments to our nation’s 65 Independence Anniversary celebrations, the former Nigeria Police boss, who equally served as Chairman of Nigerian Police Service Commission, used the occasion of the NigeriaFIRST’s Post Independence Press Briefing to appreciate and acknowledge the great contributions of the Central Working Committee made up of the Diaspora Community leaders, particularly, Engr. Kunle Anthony Samuel, the Committee’s Chairman from the United Kingdom; Amb. Obinna Ejiaya the Diaspora Ambassador of NigeriaFIRST FOUNDATION from Australia as the Committee’s 1st Vice Chairman, and Hon. Dr. Olubunmi Usim-wilson the Diaspora Advisor of NigeriaFIRST™ FOUNDATION from the United States of America as the 2nd Vice Chairman of the committee. Other Diaspora solidarites came from Hajiah Maryam Inna Ciroma, CON, Former Honourable Minister for Women Affairs; The Queen Mother Amb. Amina Temitope Labinjo Ajayi aka Mama Diaspora; Princess Dr. Omolande Ogundiran, PhD, Abuja; Prof. Isa Odidi, Canada and Dr. Tari Gold Okpurukre, USA.
Sir Okiro made great acknowledgement of His Excellency Obong (Arc.) Victor Attah, former Governor of Akwa-Ibom State who virtually delivered an inspiring message of hope and a better Nigeria at the NigeriaFIRST GREEN WHITE GREEN opening ceremony on 1st October, 2025. Interestingly, the Former Governor is billed to chair the future NigeriaFIRST™ HONORS AWARDS ceremony and the likes of Dr. Catherine Ginikanwa Okpareke, Former ICAN National President based in the US who spoke virtually at the 1st October Opening ceremony, is set to be in Nigeria for the award.
Okiro maintained the organisation’s readiness to partner the Senator Aniekan Bassey’s led Senate Committee on Diaspora Affairs & NGOs is for broader engagements, sound legislative and effective policy framework that would boost confidence in Diaspora investors and stakeholders ahead of the future Nigeria 65th focused award ceremony.
Okiro stressed that the mandate of The upcoming NigeriaFIRST™ HONORS AWARDS 2025 is aimed at consolidating President Tinubu’s NIGERIA FIRST POLICY for improved MADE-IN-NIGERIA PRODUCTS and SERVICES. An idea aimed to boost our national economy, restore our dignity, foster entrepreneurial leadership amongst youths and promote global prestige for a peaceful and fruitful NIGERIA at 65 and beyond.
The Former Police boss and Board Chairman of NigeriaFIRST FOUNDATION appreciated Comrade Vik-Morrow Ulo, the Honourable Speaker and International Coordinator of NigeriaFIRST FOUNDATION, the Conference Administrative Secretary, Faith Fadumila and all the committee members for their dedications to the future NigeriaFIRST event.
The award which is set to honor outstanding Nigerians and outstanding exceptional friends of Nigeria to mark Nigeria at 65, is slated to begin by the ending November to first week of December, 2025, in Abuja.
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