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NOA React to N814 Billion Funds Spent for New National Anthem Expenditure Claims

Published by Tope Fakinlede on June 6th, 2024.

NOA React to N814 Billion Funds Spent for New National Anthem Expenditure Claims

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has dismissed social media reports claiming that the federal government allocated N814 billion for promoting the new national anthem.

Lanre Issa-Onilu, the director-general of NOA, addressed the issue on Wednesday during the official presentation of the new national anthem in Abuja.

On May 29, President Bola Tinubu signed a bill to reintroduce the old national anthem, a move that has faced criticism. Social media posts have suggested that Atiku Bagudu, the minister of budget, stated that the federal government spent N814 billion on this initiative.

In response, Issa-Onilu clarified that NOA has not received any funds for the national anthem.

“The NOA oversees national symbols including the constitution, currency, national anthem, pledge, flag, coat of arms, and the presidential seal,” he said. “If any agency were to receive such funds, it would be NOA.”

“I assure you, as of now, the federal government has not allocated or spent any money on the national anthem. There has been no allocation of N814 billion. We have been managing with our existing resources and continue our daily operations regardless of the national anthem situation.”