FG changes ‘and’ to ‘are’ in first fifth line of reinstated National Anthem

The National Orientation Agency on Wednesday released the standardised version of the reintroduced national anthem.

The reintroduced national anthem, composed by a British expatriate, Lillian Jean Williams, was in use by the country between 1960 and 1978.

However, on May 29, President Bola Tinubu signed into law the bill to revert to the old national anthem amid scathing criticism from some Nigerians who regarded the move as a misplaced priority.

After the national anthem’s reintroduction, several versions of it appeared across the country.

The NOA had on Tuesday assured Nigerians that a standardised version of the national anthem would be issued after due consultation with stakeholders.

Unveiling the standardised version of the anthem on Wednesday in Abuja, the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency, Lanre Issa-Onilu, said the move was to ensure the lyrics are 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

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.