By Chimezie Godfrey
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has called on Nigerians to take measures to comply fully with the Federal Government’s directive to fly the National Flag at half-mast from 12 to 14 January 2022 as Nigeria mourns the passage of the nation’s former Head of the Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan.
The Director General of the Agency, Dr. Garba Abari notes that it is a common practice worldwide for national flags to be flown at half-mast on occasions of the death of a national figure, remembrance days or national catastrophe.
He describes the death of Chief Shonekan as a huge national loss, given the immense contributions of the statesman at a critical moment in our national history.
He therefore urges all heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies, Nigerian Foreign Missions, corporate organizations, private citizens and all others who fly the Nigerian National Flag to ensure that the flag in their premises fly as half-mast from 6:00am – 6:00pm throughout the duration as directed by the Federal Government as a mark of respect for the former Head of State.