NOA Opens Entries For Instrumental Nigerian Melody For New National Anthem

…Presents correct lyrics of the anthem 

BY NGOZI NWANKWO, ABUJA – Following the signing into law of the new National Anthem Act on May 29, 2024, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Orientation Agency (NOA), has called for entries for the production of an authentic instrumental and audio rendition in Nigerian melody, taking into cognisance the indigenous instrumentation of the Nigerian people for the anthem.

Director General of the Agency, Mr Lanre Issa-Onilu, who announced the opening of the entries while officially presented the correct lyrics of the new National Anthem to the public, said that the effective date for the entries and the procedure will be announced through NOA channels in the coming week.

He urged the public to learn the correct version and ignore some of the wrong versions of lyrics being circulated on social media.

The Director General said that the anthem is one of the country’s national symbols with the NOA as custodian that is mandated to promote and preserve its integrity for national cohesion, unity and a sense of patriotism.

Issa-Onilu also said the national anthem is part of the National Identity project of the Tinubu administration, being one of the seven programmes for the institutionalisation of the national values.

He particularly called the attention of Nigerians to line three of the first stanza, which reads; “Though tribes and tongues may differ, saying that the words “tribes” and “tongues” are in plural.

He noted that line five of the first stanza reads: Nigerians all, are proud to serve”. The word “are”, not “and” is correct.

According to Issa-Onilu; “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.

While reacting to questions about national prayer, Issa-Onilu said the NOA will follow the official procedure to obtain approval for the adoption of a new National Prayer, adding that the National Pledge remain valid and operational.

He further said; “The NOA’s values orientation programmes as envisioned under the Federal Government’s National Values Charter, seek to define the Nigerian citizens’ shared identity, with clearly stated commitment of both leaders and followers.

“The Charter, operating under the “7 for 7” social contract will guide our national values for a reciprocal commitment of leaders and citizens towards building a nation we all can be proud of.

“NOA will be working with a wide spectrum of stakeholders to ensure citizens’ buy-in of the National Anthem and sing it reflectively with a sense of pride,” he said.

Meanwhile, the State Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, Mrs Margaret Jethro, said it will be the responsibility of teachers to take the National Anthem to the grassroots, adding that teachers are ready to partner with the NOA to ensure the new National Anthem gets to the grassroots.