The Federal Government has effected a slight change in the lyrics of the new National Anthem.
The National Orientation Agency released the revised version on Wednesday, noting that ‘and’ was changed to ‘are’ in line five.
Unveiling the standardised version of the anthem on Wednesday in Abuja, the Director-General of the agency, Lanre Issa-Onilu, said the move was to ensure the lyrics were one.
He 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.”
In the standardised version of the reintroduced national anthem, only one word was changed.
The word “and” in line five of the first stanza was corrected to “are,” making the official line read: “Nigerians all, are proud to serve.”
Issa-Onilu said, “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.”
National Anthem
Stanza 1
Nigeria, we hail thee
Our own dear native land
Though tribes and tongues may differ
In brotherhood, we stand
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.
