NOA refutes claims of needing permission for National Anthem use

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has debunked circulating reports suggesting that Nigerians must obtain permission from the agency to use the National Anthem.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, signed by Paul Odenyi, Deputy Director of Press, NOA clarified that these claims are untrue and urged citizens to disregard such misleading information.

NOA’s Director-General, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, had earlier provided accurate information during an interview with Radio Kwara. He explained that, as the custodian of Nigeria’s national symbols, NOA is responsible for issuing the correct renditions of the National Anthem. However, he emphasized that the agency is not involved in granting permissions for the anthem’s use.

Mallam Issa-Onilu further advocated that those producing national flags or using them for commercial purposes should obtain the correct versions from NOA to ensure authenticity.

As part of its mandate, the agency is currently running public enlightenment programs through its state offices to educate Nigerians on the lyrics of the National Anthem, which has been reintroduced under the provisions of the new National Anthem Act, recently approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

The new guidelines issued by the FEC stipulate that the first stanza of the National Anthem should be sung at all official government events, while the full three stanzas are reserved for special occasions such as Democracy Day and the opening of parliament. Additionally, the third stanza has been designated as the national prayer.

In line with this, NOA has released the correct and authentic lyrics of the National Anthem, which 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 honoured, And this we count as gain. To hand on to our children A banner without stain.

Stanza 3 (National Prayer):
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.

NOA called on Nigerians to continue using the National Anthem freely while showing respect for the country’s national symbols, which represent the nation’s unity and aspirations

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