By Kolawole Ojebisi
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has denied asking Nigerians to ask for permission before using the National Anthem. The agency dismissed the claim as untrue stressing that the information contained in the statement issued on Wednesday was wrongly reported by journalists.
The Director General of NOA, Lanre Issa-Onilu made this clarification in an interview he granted Radio Kwara on Wednesday night.
According to Issa-Onilu, the agency had only said that it will provide the correct lyrics of the National Anthem.
Issa-Onilu also encouraged those who produce national flags or use them for commercial advertisement purposes to obtain the correct versions from NOA.
“All state offices of the Agency are currently undertaking programs aimed at educating Nigerians on the lyrics of the reintroduced National Anthem.
“For clarity, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved that the first stanza of the National Anthem be sung at all official government programs, while all three stanzas will be reserved for special events such as Democracy Day and the opening of parliament. The third stanza has been designated as the national prayer.
“In line with this mandate, NOA has released the correct and authentic lyrics of the National Anthem, reintroducing it as part of its initiative to promote the new National Anthem Act, signed by the President,” the statement read.
NOA, therefore, provided correct lyrics of the National Anthem are as follows:
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.
The NOA urged citizens to ignore misleading reports and continue to use the National Anthem freely while respecting and honouring the national symbols that embody Nigeria’s unity and aspirations.
NOA had issued a statement on Wednesday purportedly claiming that Nigerians must seek permission from it before using the National Anthem to prevent misuse or misinterpretation of the anthem or its lyrics.
But the announcement attracted heavy criticisms from Nigerians who described the move as nothing short of misplaced priority in a country battling with poor economy.
