By: Goodluck E. Adubazi, Abuja.
As Nigeria marks its 66th Independence Anniversary, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) has called for renewed commitment to national unity, peace and development, urging citizens to support efforts aimed at sustaining the country’s progress and building a more prosperous nation.
The Director-General of NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, made the call in his Independence Day message, describing Nigeria’s independence from colonial rule as a defining milestone that gave citizens the opportunity to determine their own destiny and shape the country’s future.
Issa-Onilu said Nigeria had made steady progress over the years despite the challenges it had faced, urging citizens to recognise the achievements recorded while remaining committed to addressing areas requiring further improvement.
“We must continue to hold on to the gains of our independence by taking responsibility for the Nigeria we want. The progress of our country depends not only on what the government does, but also on what each of us contributes as citizens,” he said.
The NOA boss stressed that government alone could not build the Nigeria citizens desire, calling for greater participation, cooperation and commitment from Nigerians in supporting national development efforts.
With the 2027 general elections approaching, Issa-Onilu also urged Nigerians to protect the country’s peace and unity by respecting political differences, rejecting hate speech and violence, and resolving disagreements through lawful and democratic means.
He warned that political competition should not be allowed to undermine the bonds that unite Nigerians, urging citizens and political actors to promote issue-based engagement, respect divergent views and uphold the rule of law before, during and after the elections.
Beyond the Independence Anniversary, the Director-General called on Nigerians to sustain the gains of independence through increased productivity, self-reliance and responsible citizenship.
He said every Nigerian had a role to play in building a stronger nation through productive work, respect for national values, peaceful coexistence and positive contributions to their communities.
Issa-Onilu reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to promoting patriotism, national unity and responsible citizenship, while providing citizens with accurate information on government policies and programmes and encouraging constructive participation in national development.
