The National Orientation Agency (NOA) unveiled the standardized version of Nigeria’s reintroduced national anthem on Wednesday. The anthem, originally composed by British expatriate Lillian Jean Williams, was used from 1960 to 1978 before being replaced. President Bola Tinubu signed a bill on May 29 to revert to this old anthem, a decision met with some criticism.
In recent weeks, various versions of the anthem surfaced across the country, prompting the NOA to standardize the lyrics. At an event in Abuja, NOA Director-General Lanre Issa-Onilu highlighted key aspects of the correct lyrics to ensure nationwide uniformity.
Issa-Onilu noted, “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.” He emphasized the correct wording in specific lines of the anthem: “Line three of the first stanza reads: Though tribes and tongues may differ. Note that the words ‘tribes’ and ‘tongues’ are in plural. Line five of the first stanza reads: Nigerians all, are proud to serve. The word ‘are’, not ‘and’, is correct.”
The NOA’s move aims to unify the nation under a single, standardized version of the anthem as Nigeria continues to embrace its heritage and identity.
More details to follow…