The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has released the standardised version of the reintroduced national anthem.
NOA on Tuesday assured Nigerians that it would issue a standardised version of the anthem after consultations with stakeholders.
The Director General of the agency, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu gave the assurance after several versions of the anthem appeared on social media, with the Community Orientation and Mobilisation Officers (COMOS) also reporting citizens’ confusion with the correct lyrics, instrumental and audio rendition of the anthem.
A statement issued on Tuesday by the agency’s Deputy Director (Press), Paul Odenyi, explained that the Director General also assured that a decision on whether any of the stanzas would be adopted as national prayer would be taken after the necessary approval procedure.
According to Issa-Onilu, “many of our people are eager to learn and promote the new anthem but are confused which of the ones they find online is the correct version”.
“They have asked questions about which of the stanzas is the national prayer,” he said on Tuesday.
During the unveiling of the standardised version of the anthem on Wednesday in Abuja, Issa-Onilu said the move was important so that only one version of the anthem would be sung.
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.”
“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 want you to also note that line five of the first stanza reads: Nigerians all, are proud to serve’. The word ‘are’, not ‘and’ is correct,'” he added.
National Anthem
Stanza 1
Nigeria, we hail thee
Our own dear native land
Though tribes and tongues may differ
In brotherhood, we stand
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.