Standardized lyrics of the reintroduced national anthem have been released by the National Orientation Agency (NOA).
Lanre Issa-Onilu, the Director-General (DG) of NOA who spoke at the presentation of the official version of the new national anthem in Abuja on Wednesday, June 5, said since reintroducing the old anthem, many Nigerians have “shown enthusiasm and have already begun singing it.”
He also said the anthem is part of the national identity project of the President Bola Tinubu administration, which is one of the “seven programmes for the institutionalisation of our national values”.
The official version is expected to clear all doubts about the correct lyrics as contained in the Act signed by the President. Lanre said;
“Most Nigerians above 50 have no issue with it. They’ve been looking for it. And we have seen that play out the way people have been singing it.
“All across the country, we’ve been blown away by the kind of positive reactions, and we didn’t even expect it within 24 hours when it was signed. We saw schools already teaching and singing it.
“We call the attention of Nigerians to line three (3) of the first stanza, which reads: Though tribes and tongues may differ. Note that the words ‘tribes’ and ‘tongues’ are in the plural.
“We want you to also note that line five (5) of the first stanza reads: Nigerians all, are proud to serve. The words ‘are’ not ‘and’ is correct.”
On the official instrumental and audio rendition, Issa-Onilu said the NOA “will call for entries for the production of an authentic Nigerian melody, taking into cognisance the indigenous instrumentation of the Nigerian people.”
Here’s the standardised national anthem released today;
Stanza 1
Nigeria, we hail thee
Our own dear native land
Though tribes and tongues may differ
In brotherhood, we stand
Nigerians all, are proud to serve
Our sovereign Motherland.
Stanza 2
Our flag shall be a symbol
That truth and justice reign
In peace or battle, honour’d,
And this we count as gain,
To hand on to our children
A banner without stain.
Stanza 3
O God of all creation
Grant this our one request,
Help us to build a nation
Where no man is oppressed,
And so with peace and plenty
Nigeria may be blessed.
