Facts about the National Flag: How well do you know your NATIONAL SYMBOL

Did you know that the national flag should not be left outside beyond 6pm? The National flag should be hoisted and flown ceremoniously and briskly at 6am and lowered slowly in the same manner by 6pm everyday.

Nigeria’s flag was first officially hoisted at 12am on October 1, 1960. This fact is clearly stated on Nigeria’s website. However, discovered that many young and old Nigerians were totally ignorant of it, while others saw no need for it.
Military and para-military outfits observe this rule. As a routine, every morning and evening, men are detailed to perform the function in a silent drill, aided by coded sounds from a beagle.
By standard, the military hoist the flag and lower it seven days a week. It is a standard practice in the military. The soldiers detailed to lower the national and unit flags do so simultaneously as the beagle blower provides a coded guide. The flag is folded and kept respectfully till the next day.
The sun must not set on the national flag. Once the flag is lowered, it is no longer binding on you to greet your superior with a salute because what we salute is the flag. You have to greet your officer, but you are not expected to salute him then.

Its noticed that even workers in government agencies, ministries and parastatals were not aware that the flag should be lowered every evening.

Also, the different shades of green colour that some people use to make the flag.

Facts on national flag
•Rarely should the flag be used horizontally or laid flat. In a case when it is placed over a casket, a licence must be granted by the government.
•The flag should fly at the peak of the hoist, except on memorial days or during state funerals as a mark of respect, when it is flown at half-mast.
•When in a room or hung anywhere, no other flag, emblem or insignia should be placed higher than it.
•When the flag is carried in a procession, the carrier should be neatly and properly dressed and must be placed in front.
•When there are two flags and the second flag is not a national flag, the national flag should be in front.
•When other flags are carried along in a procession, the national flag should be in front and at the centre of all other flags in the procession.
•For an audience in auditorium or hall, the flag should be on the right end of the first row.
•For a speaker on the platform, the national flag should be on the speaker’s right hand as he faces the audience. Other flags can be on the left and take their position sideways both left and right.
•Whenever a group of flags are displayed, the Nigerian flag should be at the centre and placed higher than the others.
•Only cars of special dignitaries are allowed to use the flag. Where permitted, the flag should be mounted on the radiator cap or attached to the right fender of the vehicle chassis of key government officials.

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