Standardized Lyrics of Reintroduced National Anthem Released

Standardized Lyrics of Reintroduced National Anthem Released

After the reintroduction of the national anthem, multiple versions appeared across the country.

On Tuesday, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) assured Nigerians that a standardized version of the national anthem would be issued following consultation with stakeholders.

Unveiling the standardized version in Abuja on Wednesday, NOA Director-General Lanre Issa-Onilu stated that the move was to ensure uniformity in the lyrics.

He said, “Today’s event is to present the official version which will clear all doubts about the correct lyrics as contained in the Act signed by the President.”

In the standardized version of the reintroduced national anthem, only one word was changed.

The word “and” in line five of the first stanza was corrected to “are,” making the official line read: “Nigerians all, are proud to serve.”

Issa-Onilu emphasized, “We call the attention of Nigerians to line three of the first stanza, which reads: ‘Though tribes and tongues may differ.’ Note that the words ‘tribes’ and ‘tongues’ are in plural. We also want you to note that line five of the first stanza reads: ‘Nigerians all, are proud to serve.’ The word ‘are,’ not ‘and,’ is correct.”

National Anthem

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.