President Bola Tinubu has directed the mandatory recitation of the National Pledge after the National Anthem at every official and public engagement.
The new directive is to “ensure absolute respect for the national symbols, strengthen allegiance and fidelity to country, and to preserve Nigeria’s ethos and defining character,” the presidency revealed Thursday night in a statement by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale.
The statement is titled, ‘President Tinubu directs mandatory recitation of the national pledge after the national anthem at official engagements.’
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony of the 3,112 housing unit Renewed Hope City at Karsana, Abuja, the President stressed the need to respect national values, promote the nation’s ideals, and abide by its established norms.
He explained the rationale behind this saying, “Before I left home this morning, I asked for a printout of the National Pledge, and we have to relaunch it at this event.
“The relaunch is about being committed to the values, greatness and hope of our country. It is our pledge to Nigeria, our country, to be faithful, loyal, and honest. To serve Nigeria with all your strength–we saw it on the field of play yesterday.
“We were all rejoicing. Every one of us loves victory. We love to win. When you are positive and you are hopeful, Nigeria is winning.”
The President said the pledges are not recited to purport an Eldorado or smooth sailing for the country, but “we are confident that this country will excel in all ramifications.”
“We will defend our unity and uphold Nigeria’s glory in every way possible because we are Nigerians, and we have no other country,” President Tinubu affirmed.
Tinubu’s directive comes on the heels of multiple cases of multi-billion-naira theft and corruption cases being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
In January, he suspended his Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation over the alleged misappropriation of funds to the tune of N585m.
