The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has called on Nigerians to take the lead in promoting love, respect and positive disposition towards the country’s national symbols.

The Director-General of NOA, Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu, made the call on Thursday in Abuja at a one-day capacity building workshop for NOA Symbols Ambassadors.

Issa-Onilu, who was represented by the agency’s Director of Special Duties, State Operations, David Akoji, described the ambassadors as important actors in promoting patriotism and national identity.

He urged the participants to become “the front line for promoting love for these national symbols” and encouraged Nigerians to respect them.

According to him, the responsibility of Symbols Ambassadors goes beyond knowledge of the national flag, anthem, pledge and other symbols.

He said the ambassadors should actively promote positive attitudes toward the symbols as expressions of Nigeria’s identity, history, sovereignty and aspirations.

Issa-Onilu said patriotism should be encouraged among citizens because Nigeria remained their country, irrespective of their place of origin or political differences.

“If anybody asks you why should I be patriotic? You should be patriotic because you are a Nigerian and Nigeria is your country,” he said.

He explained that citizens might have strong attachments to their communities, but those communities remained within Nigeria and formed part of the country’s collective identity.

“There will never come a time in this country when they will take your village to Senegal or Cameroon,” he said, stressing the enduring connection between citizens and their country.

The NOA director-general urged Nigerians to distinguish between dissatisfaction with the government and love for the nation.

He said citizens had the legitimate right to disagree with or criticise any government but should not allow such dissatisfaction to translate into hatred for Nigeria.

“You can feel dissatisfied with the government of any time period. It is your legitimate right as a citizen,” he said.

He, however, cautioned Nigerians against cursing or despising the country because of their grievances with the government of the day.

“But do not ever curse or despise your country. You will be making a very huge mistake,” Issa-Onilu said.

He also expressed concern about negative narratives about Nigeria, particularly those promoted by Nigerians themselves through social media platforms.

According to him, citizens should be conscious that their online comments and publications contribute to how Nigeria is perceived by people outside the country.

Issa-Onilu said some negative perceptions about Nigeria were strengthened when citizens repeatedly portrayed their country negatively on social media.

He urged Nigerians to balance criticism of national challenges with positive narratives that accurately reflect the country’s achievements, diversity and potential.

The NOA boss said Nigeria should not automatically be regarded as the worst country in every negative global indicator simply because Nigerians frequently discuss the country’s challenges.

He cited corruption and cybercrime as areas where Nigeria is often negatively portrayed, urging citizens to examine international data before making sweeping claims about the country.

“Nigeria is not ranking top among the world’s most corrupt countries, ” he said, while encouraging participants to examine available international statistics.

He similarly referred to global discussions on cybercrime and said Nigerians should avoid creating a narrative that portrays the country as synonymous with cybercrime.

“Russia does not have a country narrative of being cyber criminals. Nigeria does,” he said, attributing part of the difference to how Nigerians discuss their country publicly.

Issa-Onilu said Nigerians should therefore recognise their responsibility in shaping the country’s image through their conversations and activities on social media.

He urged the Symbols Ambassadors to use strategic communication to promote more balanced, constructive and patriotic narratives about Nigeria.

He described national symbols as significant components of the life of every nation and important instruments through which countries are identified in the international community.

“In the community of nations, countries are recognised by symbols such as the flags, the anthem, the coat of arms and other paraphernalia,” he said.

He consequently urged Nigerians to give due recognition and respect to the national symbols as representations of the nation’s collective identity.

Issa-Onilu expressed concern that some Nigerians displayed flags and symbols of other countries in their homes while showing little interest in displaying the Nigerian flag.

He said such attitudes reflected a misunderstanding of patriotism, particularly when citizens equated love of country with support for a particular government.

According to him, Nigeria has experienced different systems of government, including military administrations and democratic governments, yet the country has remained Nigeria.

He noted that Nigeria had been under democratic rule since 1999 and had witnessed successive administrations during the period.

“Your country will outlast all the governments that you keep seeing currently,” he said, stressing the enduring nature of the Nigerian state.

He maintained that citizens should therefore separate their loyalty to Nigeria from their opinions about any administration in power.

“Patriotism is love of country, not love of government,” Issa-Onilu said.

Director of Communication and Media of NOA, Bala Musa, said officers of the agency had responsibilities beyond communication.

Musa, who presented a paper titled “From Symbols to Citizenship: Strategic Communication and Public Engagement for Strengthening National Identity and Civic Responsibility in Nigeria,” described NOA officers as “custodians of the national values and ambassadors of civic responsibility.”

He explained that Nigeria’s national symbols, including the flag, coat of arms, national anthem, national pledge, Constitution and currency, represent aspects of the nation’s identity, history, sovereignty, aspirations and collective values.

In her address of welcome, the Director of Civic, Values and Democracy Education, Dr Oluremi Afolayan, described the workshop as “timely and necessary”.

She noted that it formed part of activities marking National Symbols Day observed annually on Sept. 16, while the 2026 celebration had been extended into a week-long national awareness campaign.

According to her, this features media engagements, road shows, school outreaches and other public enlightenment initiatives nationwide.(NAN)

From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja

Abdullahi Ibrahim Idris, son of the Late Ex- Kogi Governor Ibrahim Idris has announced that the remains of their deceased father will be laid to rest at Gudu Cemetery, Abuja today.

Abdullahi Ibrahim Idris who announced this Thursday night in a statement made available to journalists in Lokoja, said that the Janazah Prayer Holds At Abuja National Mosque.

According to the statement “With deep sense of humility and total submission to the will of Almighty Allah, we regret to announce the passing of our father, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, former Governor of Kogi State.

“He died in a hospital in the United Kingdom on Sunday, 20th September, 2026.

“The family wishes to announce that his body will arrive at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Friday. Janazah prayer will be held at the Abuja National Mosque, followed by burial at Gudu Cemetery, Abuja, according to Islamic rites. This is in accordance with his personal wish.

“We want to use this opportunity to thank His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, Governor of Kogi State, and all Nigerians for their prayers and show of love.

Tinubu Assures Investors of Policy Stability as Ogun Projects Attract $7bn

President Bola Tinubu has assured domestic and foreign investors of regulatory clarity, policy stability and a predictable business environment for long-term investments.

Tinubu gave the assurance in Paris during the signing of Memoranda of Understanding between Ogun government and DP World.

The agreements cover the Ogun State Blue Marine Special Economic Zone and Gateway Deep Seaport, with proposed investments exceeding $7 billion.

This is contained in a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Presidential Spokesperson, on Thursday in Abuja.

The President said the agreements represented a convergence of vision, expertise, capital and execution capacity to advance Nigeria’s maritime economy.

“The agreements before us bring together vision, expertise, capital and execution capacity,” Tinubu said.

He particularly welcomed DP World, describing it as one of the world’s leading port and logistics operators.

Tinubu assured investors of necessary regulatory and institutional support, while stressing that the government would hold all parties accountable for their commitments.

He described the projects as milestones in attracting foreign direct investment, expanding productive capacity and positioning Nigeria as a major maritime trade hub.

The proposed Ogun Waterside port will have a four-kilometre berth and 18-metre draft, enabling it to accommodate larger, deeper-draft vessels.

The port is expected to decongest Lagos ports, ease pressure on Apapa and Tin Can Island ports and reduce logistics costs.

It will also provide a competitive trade gateway under the African Continental Free Trade Area, serving a continental market of about 1.4 billion people.

The Blue Marine Special Economic Zone is proposed to cover 10,000 hectares, with the projects requiring initial investment exceeding $7 billion.

“At full development, the projects are projected to create more than 50,000 direct jobs and many additional indirect opportunities,” Tinubu said.

He added that the projects would generate substantial non-oil export earnings and strengthen Nigeria’s productive capacity.

Tinubu commended Gov. Dapo Abiodun and the Ogun government for securing land and structuring the investment framework.

He said the state government had also helped reduce project risks, describing the arrangement as an example of cooperative federalism.

The President said the Federal Government would facilitate road, rail and power connectivity to support seamless implementation of the projects.

He also pledged to strengthen investment security, remove bureaucratic obstacles and work with Ogun to ensure effective project delivery.

Tinubu said the Blue Marine Special Economic Zone was attracting interest from global manufacturers.

He added that the Gateway Deep Seaport would provide critical infrastructure for the zone’s viability and support its industrial development.

“A port moves cargo; a port integrated with a special economic zone helps to build an economy,” the President said.

He said the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway would further support the corridor’s commercial viability.

According to him, the highway’s 28-kilometre Ogun section will link the zone and port with Lagos and Nigeria’s hinterland.

Tinubu said the projects would anchor a strategic corridor near the proposed Nigerian Navy Operating Base and Dockyard.

He added that the corridor would also connect with the OK LNG Project, linking the industrial cluster to Nigeria’s energy and gas-export ambitions.

Abiodun led the Ogun delegation, alongside Secretary to the state government, Tokunbo Talabi, commissioners and a representative of the host community.

Also present were Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola; Nigeria’s Ambassador to France, Ayodele Oke; and NPA Managing Director, Abubakar Dantsoho.

DP World Group Chief Executive Officer, Yuvraj Narayan, SkyKapital Managing Director, Karim Noujaim, and other investors and partners also attended the ceremony. (NAN)

The Kwara State Police Command has denied shooting a 23-year-old motorcyclist, Abdurasaq Lukman, during a stop-and-search operation around Oyun Bridge, Ilorin, saying he allegedly knocked down one of its officers.

The command said the incident occurred during a routine patrol and stop-and-search operation by its personnel on the highway leading to the Kwara State Polytechnic.

The clarification was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, following the circulation of a video on social media alleging that the motorcyclist had been shot by police officers.

The statement partly read, “The Command is aware of a video circulating on social media concerning an incident involving a Police officer and a motorcyclist around Oyun Bridge, Ilorin.

“The video has been accompanied by claims suggesting that the motorcyclist was shot by Police personnel.”

The command, however, denied the allegation, saying “no person was shot”.

According to the police, Lukman was riding at high speed when he allegedly knocked down Corporal Saka Azeez, one of the officers conducting the operation.

“Abdurasaq Lukman, aged 23, a motorcyclist on top speed, knocked down Corporal Saka Azeez, one of the officers on duty.

“The impact left the Corporal with serious head injuries and a fracture, while Abdurasaq Lukman also sustained minor injuries,” the statement added.

The command said other officers at the scene immediately took both men to a medical facility for treatment.

“Other officers at the scene immediately responded and conveyed both the injured officer and the motorcyclist to a medical facility for treatment.

“Abdurasaq Lukman was treated and discharged; he is presently in police custody aiding investigations.

“Corporal Saka Azeez remains under medical care and requires further medical examination and scans to ascertain the full extent of the head injury sustained,” the statement added.

The police urged members of the public to verify information before sharing it.

The Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, said, “The Command appreciates the legitimate concerns of citizens regarding Police activities. Verifying information before circulation remains important to prevent unnecessary anxiety and misunderstanding.”