The National Orientation Agency has released the official version of the reintroduced national anthem, following President Bola Tinubu’s signing of the bill on May 29.
The move has sparked both enthusiasm and criticism, with many Nigerians above 50 years old welcoming the return of the old anthem.
At the presentation in Abuja, NOA Director-General Lanre Issa-Onilu highlighted the positive reception and emphasized the importance of a unified national symbol, according to Nigerian Tribune.
The standardized lyrics aim to promote national unity and pride, and will be used across the country.
Issa-Onilu noted, “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.”
He added, “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.”
Issa-Onilu explained that the anthem’s reintroduction is part of President Tinubu’s national identity project, one of the administration’s “seven programmes for the institutionalisation of our national values.”
The event aimed to present the official version of the anthem to clarify any doubts about the correct lyrics as specified in the Act signed by the president.
Issa-Onilu pointed out specific lines for accuracy: “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,” he said. “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.”
SEE THE FULL LYRICS BELOW:
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.
