By ABUBAKAR YUNUSA
Ahead of Nigeria’s 63rd anniversary of Independence, Dr. Garba Abari, the Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), has urged Nigerians to embrace the heroic patriotism of Nigeria’s heroes. He stated that every citizen has a role to play in making Nigeria the nation of our dreams.
Garba made this call at a press conference as part of the activities marking the 2023 National Citizens and Patriots’ Day, held in Abuja yesterday. He encouraged Nigerian citizens to contribute meaningfully to the development of our nation.
He also announced that NOA will be holding two important formal activities: a Burn Fire Night and Light Procession on September 30, 2023, with the theme “Restaging the Nostalgia of September 30, 1960,” and a Recognition Award/Symposium on the Standardization of National Iconography, along with other activities on October 5, 2023.
The DG explained that the Nigeria of our dreams can only be achieved through the collective efforts of patriotic citizens. It is the love we individually have for our fatherland that will translate into our approach to the rule of law, constituted authority, national interest, national image, and other issues related to patriotism.
“We must possess a personal sense of belonging in Nigeria while respecting and upholding our cultural heritage as a people, whether we are at home or abroad. Such a disposition is the foundation of patriotism and national heroism.
“It must be emphasized that heroism and patriotism are not inborn traits but can be developed through a conscious determination to always act in the best interest of one’s country.
“Our history as a nation is filled with examples of patriots who became national heroes, not because of any extraordinary hereditary traits or extraordinary privilege but by going the extra mile in fighting for the cause of this great country.
“There should be a contribution to the development of our nation, love for the country, and patriotism. All of these factors collectively contribute to national development, and this is the essence of what we are doing here at NOA.”
Continuing, he urged Nigerians to take a close look at our heroes, past and present, and they will see the common thread of great personal sacrifice for our country that binds them all. Such is the clarion call of citizenship – the call to go above and beyond the ordinary demands of the norm for the sake of one’s nation – and this call rings out to all Nigerians today as it always has.
“Even as we mourn the designer of the National flag, Pa Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi, we remember with pride his enduring legacy of more than 60 years. We will use the occasion to remember other iconic figures who, through their simple contributions as active members of our community, made Nigeria worthy of nationhood.
“As our great nation marks 63 years of independence in a few days, precisely on October 1, 2023, we have, without a doubt, witnessed national development in the areas of agriculture, tourism, human capital development, health, industry, trade, investment, science, technology, international relations, sports, and much more.
“Today, citizenship connotes having a personal sense of belonging to a given community. Culturally, citizenship speaks to the consciousness of a common cultural heritage with specific fellow citizens.”
He mentioned that for this reason and to further promote citizens-inclusive national celebrations, NOA began collaborating with the “HIYA NIGERIA” team in 2021 to celebrate the National Citizens and Patriots’ Day on September 30, aiming to reenact the significance of the unity of Nigerians.
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