NOA CLARIFIES WORD CORRECTIONS AND OFFICIAL USAGE OF NEW NATIONAL ANTHEM
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has issued official corrections to some words and phrases in the newly reintroduced National Anthem to ensure uniformity and accuracy in its rendition across the country.
In a statement signed by the Director-General of the Agency and made available to Radio Nigeria, the NOA explained that certain expressions in the anthem have been corrected to reflect the proper lyrics as originally composed.
According to the statement, the correct line is “tribes” instead of “tribe,” while “tongues” should replace “tongue.” It further clarified that the correct phrase is “Nigerians all are proud to serve” and not “Nigerians all and proud to serve.”
The Agency also noted that the final line should read “Nigeria may be blessed” rather than “Nigeria shall be blessed.”
Providing further guidance on the appropriate usage of the anthem, the NOA stated that only the first stanza is to be sung at official events, while the third stanza should be recited as the national prayer at the beginning of events. The three stanzas may be rendered at major national occasions, and the National Pledge is to be recited at the end of such ceremonies.
The statement urged all Nigerians, schools, government agencies, and institutions to take note of these corrections and apply them accordingly to promote national harmony and respect for national symbols.
