The National Orientation Agency (NOA) addressed the public on Wednesday to clarify the recently reinstated national anthem. The anthem, originally composed by Lillian Jean Williams, served as Nigeria's official anthem from 1960 to 1978. Its return, authorized by President Bola Tinubu on May 29th, sparked debate with some citizens questioning its necessity.
Following the reinstatement, multiple versions of the anthem circulated, causing confusion. The NOA assured Nigerians on Tuesday that a standardized version, established through consultations, would be released.
Unveiling the Official Version
During Wednesday's event in Abuja, NOA Director-General Lanre Issa-Onilu emphasized the importance of a unified anthem.
"We're here today to present the authorized version, eliminating any ambiguity surrounding the correct lyrics as outlined in the President's Act," he declared.
Interestingly, the revision involved a minor change. The original wording "Nigerians all, and proud to serve" in the first stanza's fifth line has been corrected to "Nigerians all, are proud to serve."
Issa-Onilu further clarified, "We want to draw your attention to line three of the first stanza, which reads: 'Though tribes and tongues may differ.' It's important to remember that both 'tribes' and 'tongues' are plural nouns. Additionally, line five of the first stanza should now be understood as: 'Nigerians all, are proud to serve.' The correct word is 'are,' not 'and'."
National Anthem
Stanza 1
Nigeria, we hail thee
Our own dear native land
Though tribes and tongues may differ
Nigerians all, are proud to serve
Our sovereign Motherland.
Stanza 2
Our flag shall be a symbol
In brotherhood, we stand
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.
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