By Cecilia Ogezi
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has refuted reports suggesting that citizens must seek the Agency’s permission to use the National Anthem.
According to the NOA Director-General, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, during an interview with Radio Kwara, the Agency, as the custodian of national symbols, is responsible for issuing the correct rendition of the National Anthem. He emphasized that individuals or organizations producing national flags or using them for commercial purposes should obtain the correct versions from the NOA.
The Director-General clarified that all state offices of the Agency are currently engaged in programs aimed at educating Nigerians on the correct lyrics of the reintroduced National Anthem.
For clarity, the recent approvals by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) specify that only the first stanza of the National Anthem should be sung at official government events, while all three stanzas are to be performed at special occasions such as Democracy Day and the opening of parliament. Additionally, the third stanza has been designated as the national prayer.
In accordance with this mandate, the NOA has released the official and accurate lyrics of the National Anthem as part of its effort to promote the new National Anthem Act signed by the President. The lyrics are as follows:
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 honoured,
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.
The NOA urges all citizens to disregard the misleading reports and to continue using the National Anthem freely while respecting and honouring national symbols that represent the nation’s unity and aspirations.
