As Nigeria marks its 66th Independence Anniversary, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) has called on Nigerians to renew their commitment to national unity, peace and development, urging citizens to support efforts aimed at building a more peaceful, productive and prosperous country.
The Director-General of the Agency, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, made the call in his Independence Anniversary message, describing Nigeria’s attainment of independence as a defining milestone that gave citizens the opportunity to determine their own destiny and shape the future of the nation.
Issa-Onilu said Nigeria had recorded significant progress since independence despite the challenges it had encountered, urging citizens to acknowledge these achievements 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 ,in a statement by Paul Odenyi,Deputy Director, Communication and Media, stressed that government alone could not build the Nigeria citizens desire, calling for greater participation, cooperation and a shared sense of responsibility in advancing national development.
With the 2027 general elections approaching, Issa-Onilu urged Nigerians to protect the nation’s peace and unity by respecting political differences, rejecting hate speech and violence, and resolving disagreements through lawful and democratic processes.
He cautioned that political competition should not be allowed to weaken the bonds that unite Nigerians, urging citizens to embrace issue-based campaigns, respect divergent views and uphold the rule of law before, during and after the elections.
Beyond the Independence Anniversary, the Director-General encouraged Nigerians to sustain the gains of independence through increased productivity, self-reliance and responsible citizenship.
He stressed that every Nigerian has 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 NOA’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.