‘Sing only first stanza at official events’ — NOA issues guide on reciting national anthem

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has issued new guidelines on the recital of Nigeria’s national anthem.

The four-point directive was released on Thursday in a statement.

“Recite/sing only the first stanza (not all three (3) stanzas at official events,” the statement reads.

“The third stanza should be recited as the National Prayer at the beginning of an event.

“The three stanzas are to be recited/sung only during Independence Day, Inauguration (swearing-in) of a President, Armed Forces Remembrance Day, Democracy (June 12) Day, Inauguration of the National Assembly, etc.

“The National Pledge is to be recited at the end of an event.”

Last May, President Bola Tinubu signed into law the bill that reintroduced the old anthem ‘Nigeria, We Hail Thee’.

The anthem replaced the tune which the country has sung since 1978 titled ‘Arise, O Compatriots’.

The change was widely criticised by citizens but Tinubu insisted the re-adopted national anthem was all about service to the nation.

See the lyrics of the reintroduced national anthem below.

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,

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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.

National Anthem
NOA