Nigerian Govt Denies Reports Citizens Need Permission To Use National Anthem

Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, in a statement signed by Paul Odenyi, Deputy Director Press on Wednesday, also advocated that those who produce national flags or use them for commercial advertisement purposes should obtain the correct versions from NOA.

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has refuted reports that it has mandated that citizens must obtain permission before using the National Anthem.

According to NOA, the correct submissions of NOA’s Director-General, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, during an interview with Radio Kwara, is that the agency as the custodian of national symbols, will issue correct melodies of the National Anthem.

Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, in a statement signed by Paul Odenyi, Deputy Director Press on Wednesday, also advocated that those who produce national flags or use them for commercial advertisement purposes should obtain the correct versions from NOA.

It said, “As a matter of fact, all state offices of the Agency are currently undertaking programmes aimed at enlightening Nigerians on the lyrics of the reintroduced National Anthem.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the new approvals given by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) prescribe that the first stanza of the National Anthem will be sung at all official government programmes, while the entire three stanzas will be used only at special events such as the Democracy Day, opening of parliament et cetera.

“The third stanza has been designated as 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 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.