PORT HARCOURT- The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has urged Nigerians to use the national flag and colours to preach peace, love and unity as the nation marks 55 years.
Mr Oliver Wolugbom, the NOA Director in Rivers, made the plea in an interview with newsmen in Port Harcourt ahead of October 1 independence anniversary.
Wolugbom said that it was wrong and sad to see Nigerians flying flags of other countries without hoisting their national flag.
He urged the citizenry to believe in their country and see it as the best among the nations of the world.
“For us as Nigerians, we must respect our symbols, particularly the flag.
“We expect people during this period of the 55th independence anniversary of our country to fly the flag and wear our colours.
“It is to show how we love our country. We must love and be proud of what we have by hoisting clean national flag,” he said.
Wolugbom said that Nigerians should also believe in the nation and its leaders and offer constructive criticism to bring the best out of the government.
According to him, NOA believes that President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration means well for the masses and it will not be averse to objective criticism.
“Every democratic government loves criticism because it brings out the best out of governance.
“We should be happy that we have lived together for 55 years despite the ups and downs, ethnic and religious groupings; we have been able to stick as one nation.
“The challenges of the nation cannot be solved by government alone, it has to be solved by all of us.
“We must love, value the country and be patriotic enough to solve our problems.
“This year’s celebration is for all of us, it is not for government. It is either you are a Nigerian or you are a foreigner,” he said.
Wolugbom then commended schools and churches in the state for hoisting the flag as a mark of respect and love for the nation
