The Nigerian flag designer, late Pa Taiwo Micheal Akinkunmi and ten other Nigerian heroes would be honoured with citizenship and patriots award ahead of the country’s 63rd Independence Day celebration.
The country got its independence from Great Britain on 1st October 1960.
The honour which is part of the National Orientation Agency (NOA)’s efforts to promote civic education in Nigeria, is scheduled for October 5.
The other awardees are Naval Rating, Salaudeen Akano, who hoisted the Nigerian flag at midnight to mark the independence of Nigeria in 1960; and late Commander Onwurah Zonyanuno Chiazor, the commandant under whose order Naval Rating Salaudeen hoisted the flag.
Others include: John A. Ilechukwu, Eme Etim Akpan, B.A. Ogunnaike, Sota Omoigui and P. O. Aderibigbe all contributed to the lyrics of the country’s National Anthem.
Also slated for honour is the man who directed the Nigerian Police band that put the late Benedict E. Odiase.
Also listed for honour is the woman who created the National Pledge Late (Mrs.) Felicia Adebola Adedoyin and Adewusi, her (Adedoyin’s) friend introduced her to the president.
Briefing the media ahead of the event, the Director General of the National Orientation Agency, NOA, Dr. Garba Abari said the 16th of September every year has been set aside as National Symbols Day, and September 30 as Citizens and Patriots Day.
Abari said the Symbols Day marks the date when Nigeria’s Coat-of-Arms and National Ordinance was signed into law in 1960 ahead of Nigeria’s Independence Day.
The day, he said is used to reemphasize the need for citizens to handle Nigeria’s national symbols with pride, loyalty and respect as instruments that represent the sovereignty and presence of Nigeria.
He said: “Nigeria today stands in dire need of an uprising of more patriots to meet the challenging demands of this moment of her history. Never before has this need been more pressing than it is today. In the face of the economic difficulties of the time, the persistent “Japa” syndrome among our youth, the disturbing insecurity in parts of the country and the failure of our power supply systems, Nigeria needs Nigerians to rise up with initiatives that will bring the necessary solutions, even if it is at some personal cost. That is what patriotic citizenship is all about.
“We have consistently campaigned for Nigerians to take pride in our nation, its symbols and its people. For us, the task of mobilizing the people to become part of the progress of their fatherland is a special task which must be accomplished.
“It is for this reason and in furtherance of our campaign for citizens-inclusive national celebrations, that NOA, in 2021, began to collaborate with team “HIYA NIGERIA” to celebrate the National Citizens and Patriots’ Day on the 30th of September, to reenact the significance of the unity of Nigerians and most importantly restage the 1960 nostalgias that preluded the commemoration of the nation’s Independence Day. The events of 30th September and 5th October 2023 marking the 2023 edition of these celebrations are results of this continuing partnership.”
He also stressed: “the importance of patriotism to national development cannot be overemphasized as it takes patriotic citizens to develop a nation and citizenship without patriotism is, perhaps, the greatest bane of any nation or community. It goes without saying that the Nigeria of our dreams can only be achieved by the collective effort of patriotic citizens.
“It is the love we individually have for our fatherland that will translate into our posture towards the rule of law, constituted authority, national interest, national image and other issues connected to patriotism. Therefore, good citizenship stems from patriotism.
“Indeed, the concept of citizenship has evolved beyond having a legal right to participate in the affairs of the state. Today, it connotes having a personal sense of belonging to a given community. Culturally, citizenship speaks to the consciousness of a common cultural heritage with specific fellows.
“Therefore, for us as Nigerian citizens to contribute meaningfully to the development of our nation, 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 disposition is the bedrock of patriotism and national heroism.
He further added: “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. The massive eulogies that have followed his death remind us of the huge reward that will always come for those who demonstrate active citizenship and patriotism.
“We will use the occasion to remember other iconic figures who through their simple contribution as active members of our community, made Nigeria worthy of nationhood.”