Group Seeks Legislation To Outlaw Poor Treatment Of National Flag

LAGOS, Sept 14, (THEWILL) - Due to the incessant abuse of Nigerian National Flag in all states of the federation, the National Assembly has been tasked to review the National Flag Laws to mark the country’s 50th Independence anniversary.

A coalition of Partnership for a new Nigeria and Building Our National Image Flag Project made the call at a news conference in Lagos while expressing its displeasure over the abuse of the National Flag in schools, public and corporate offices.

The conference had in attendance the designer of the Nigeria National Flag, Pa Taiwo Akinkunmi and Rev. Moses Ilo who lamented how the National Flag had since become an object of scorn and disregard in the society.

Speaking at the conference, Coordinator of the project, Mrs. Elishama Ideh said the organisation is sponsoring a bill on the abuse and review of the Nigeria National Flag to the National Assembly on the need to enact a strict law that would stop the poor treatment of the flag.

According to the coordinator, "the objective of this campaign is to primarily engage and inspire participation of all Nigerians both home and abroad to be part of this one in a lifetime jubilee celebration by raising our flag high. The flag is our symbol of freedom but we treat it with disdain."

But the BONI Coordinator, Mr. Solanke Akinola condemned the N10 billion budgeted by federal government for the independence anniversary without any programme to sensitise the public about the significance of the flag, which is the symbol of the independence.

He said: "It is laughable that the National Flag is hoisted tattered everywhere across the country while the government is busy talking about how much to spend on the anniversary. It must be remembered that Nigeria was given birth to as the flag was given birth to."

Akinola explained that the flag was not an ordinary piece of clothe but the symbol where the spirit of the nation resided, stating that unless a law is made to set penalties for people who treat the National Flag with disdain, the anniversary will be meaningless.

He however urged government to make it mandatory for every citizen to participate in the singing of National Anthem with flags in their hands at 12 noon on October 1 as a sign of respect for the National Flag and the country.

He called on the National Assembly to ensure the passage of the Nigerian Flag Day bill to be celebrated annually like the Independence Day.

In his comment, Ilo called on all jobless youths in the country to storm every parade ground on October 1 as guard of dishonour to leaders whom he described as selfish set of people.

Emotionally, Pa Akinkunmi commended the organisers while congratulating the country for the 50th independence anniversary.