The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has announced plans to issue a standardised version of the new national anthem after consulting with relevant stakeholders. This move addresses the confusion caused by the circulation of multiple versions of the anthem on social media.
Lanre Issa-Onilu, the Director-General of the NOA, emphasised this initiative in a statement issued by the agency’s Deputy Director of Press, Paul Odenyi, on Tuesday in Abuja. Issa-Onilu noted that feedback from Community Orientation and Mobilisation Officers (COMOS) highlighted widespread uncertainty among citizens regarding the correct lyrics, instrumental, and audio renditions of the anthem.
Our COMOS, whom we ordered to learn the new national anthem, have received feedback that many of our people are eager to learn and promote the new anthem.
But they are confused and wonder if the ones they find online are the correct version. They have asked questions about which of the stanzas is the national prayer, Issa-Onilu stated.
He also mentioned that there have been inquiries about which stanzas, if any, will be designated as the national prayer.
Issa-Onilu stated that whether any stanzas will be adopted as a national prayer will follow the necessary approval procedures. He further advised government agencies to refer to the NOA for the official copy of the new national anthem for their functions.
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