The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has issued formal instructions regarding the proper way to perform and recite Nigeria’s national anthem and pledge during official and public ceremonies nationwide.
In an announcement posted on its verified X (formerly Twitter) account last Friday, the agency called on Nigerians to “please observe the correct procedures for the rendition and recitation of the National Anthem and Pledge.”
The directive specifies that only the first verse of the national anthem, beginning with “Nigeria, We Hail Thee…,” is to be sung or recited at all official gatherings. Meanwhile, the third verse is designated as the National Prayer and should be delivered at the commencement of such events.
NOA clarified that the full three verses of the anthem are reserved exclusively for significant national celebrations, such as Independence Day, the Presidential Inauguration, Armed Forces Remembrance Day, Democracy Day, and the swearing-in of the National Assembly.
Additionally, the agency emphasized that the National Pledge must be recited at the conclusion of every official or public occasion.
Highlighting the importance of respecting national emblems, NOA urged citizens to honor these symbols with due reverence during their performance.
“We must preserve the dignity and sacredness of our national symbols,” the statement emphasized.
This clarification comes in the wake of President Bola Tinubu signing the National Anthem Bill 2024 into law, which reinstates “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” as the official anthem, replacing “Arise, O Compatriots.”
The legislation, approved by both houses of the National Assembly in May, has generated diverse opinions nationwide. While some Nigerians appreciate the anthem’s return for its cultural and historical value, others view the move as ill-timed given the country’s current economic difficulties.
