The Federal Government, through the National Orientation Agency (NOA), released the standardized version of Nigeria’s reintroduced national anthem on Wednesday, June 5.
This they said is to unify the lyrics following President Bola Tinubu’s recent enactment of the bill to revert to the original anthem composed by British expatriate Lillian Jean Williams, which was in use from 1960 to 1978.
The reintroduction of the national anthem has sparked widespread debate, with some Nigerians criticizing the decision as a misplaced priority. To address the emergence of various versions of the anthem across the country, the NOA assured citizens on Tuesday that an official version would be issued after consultations with stakeholders.
During the unveiling event in Abuja, NOA Director-General Lanre Issa-Onilu 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.”
Below are all three stanzas of the 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.