UPDATED: Standardised lyrics of reintroduced National Anthem launched
The National Orientation Agency on Wednesday launched the standardised model of the reintroduced nationwide anthem.
The reintroduced nationwide anthem, composed by a British expatriate, Lillian Jean Williams, was in use by the nation between 1960 and 1978.
However, on May 29, President Bola Tinubu signed into legislation the invoice to revert to the outdated nationwide anthem amid scathing criticism from some Nigerians who regarded the transfer as a misplaced precedence.
After the nationwide anthem’s reintroduction, a number of variations of it appeared throughout the nation.
The NOA had on Tuesday assured Nigerians {that a} standardised model of the nationwide anthem could be issued after due session with stakeholders.
Unveiling the standardised model of the anthem on Wednesday in Abuja, the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency, Lanre Issa-Onilu, stated the transfer was to make sure the lyrics are one.
He stated, “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 standardised model of the reintroduced nationwide anthem, just one phrase was modified.
The phrase “and” in line 5 of the primary stanza was corrected to “are,” making the official line learn: “Nigerians all, are proud to serve.”
Issa-Onilu stated, “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 phrase ”are”, not ”and” is right.”
National Anthem
Stanza 1
Nigeria, we hail thee
Our personal pricey fatherland
Though tribes and tongues might differ
In brotherhood, we stand
Nigerians all, are proud to serve
Our sovereign Motherland.
Stanza 2
Our flag shall be an emblem
That reality and justice reign
In peace or battle, honour’d,
And this we depend as acquire,
To hand on to our youngsters
A banner with out stain.
Stanza 3
O God of all creation
Grant this our one request,
Help us to construct a nation
Where no man is oppressed,
And so with peace and lots
Nigeria might be blessed.
