{"id":38821,"date":"2021-09-09T21:44:43","date_gmt":"2021-09-09T20:44:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.experts.ng\/blog\/?p=38821"},"modified":"2022-05-08T05:28:37","modified_gmt":"2022-05-08T04:28:37","slug":"nigerian-national-anthem","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.experts.ng\/blog\/nigerian-national-anthem\/","title":{"rendered":"Nigerian National Anthem"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br>A National Anthem is&nbsp;a solemn patriotic song&nbsp;that is officially taken by a country as an expression of national identity. Seldom used as prayer at official gatherings, a country&#8217;s anthem is more than a song, it is the embodiment of the hopes and aspirations of the founding fathers of such a country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Below is the official national anthem of Nigeria.<\/p>\n\n\n<ol>\n<li class=\"padbottom\">Arise, O compatriots, Nigeria&#8217;s call obey<br>To serve our fatherland<br>With love and strength and faith<br>The labour of our heroes past<br>Shall never be in vain<br>To serve with heart and might<br>One nation bound in freedom, peace and unity.<\/li>\n<li class=\"padbottom\">Oh God of creation, direct our noble cause<br>Guide our leader\u2019s right<br>Help our <a href=\"https:\/\/experts.ng\/blog\/youth-empowerment-in-nigeria\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">youth the truth to know<\/a><br>In love and honesty to grow<br>And living just and true<br>Great lofty heights attain<br>To build a nation where peace and justice shall reign.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"youtube-embed\" data-video_id=\"avPeagYhbgo\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Nigerian National Anthem - &quot;Arise, Oh Compatriots&quot; (EN)\" width=\"696\" height=\"522\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/avPeagYhbgo?feature=oembed&#038;enablejsapi=1\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption>The current Nigerian National Anthem<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Though the above anthem is what is used as the Nigerian national anthem today, it wasn&#8217;t the very first Nigerian National Anthem. The very first was highly criticized, but unfortunately, the prayers of the very first National Anthem, if it had come true, Nigeria perhaps would have been a better country than what it is today. Please give your comments in the comment section below on what you feel about the change.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">All 3 Stanzas of Nigeria&#8217;s anthem were recited on October 01, 1960, by the MRA Studio Orchestra under the direction of the Brazilian composer &#8211; Remo Usai. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Nigeria, We Hail Thee&#8221; was Nigeria&#8217;s anthem from 1960-1978. It was written by Lillian Jean Williams and the music was composed by Frances Berda. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The anthem faced criticism from its onset. Eventually, it was changed to &#8220;Arise, O Compatriots.&#8221; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nigeria we hail thee<br>Our own dear native land<br>Though tribes and tongues may differ<br>In brotherhood, we stand<br>Nigerians all, are proud to serve<br>Our sovereign Motherland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our flag shall be a symbol<br>That truth and justice reign<br>In peace or battle honour &#8216;d,<br>And this we count as gain,<br>To hand on to <a href=\"https:\/\/experts.ng\/blog\/teach-nigerian-kids-money\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">our children<\/a><br>A banner without stain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">O God of creation<br>Grant this our one request.<br>Help us to build a nation<br>Where no man is oppressed<br>And so with peace and plenty<br>Nigeria may be blessed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"youtube-embed\" data-video_id=\"yzbzLPlgHb4\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Nigeria We Hail Thee - Nigerian Anthem - October 01, 1960\" width=\"696\" height=\"522\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/yzbzLPlgHb4?feature=oembed&#038;enablejsapi=1\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption>The very first official recitation of a Nigerian National Anthem<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Did you take note of the &#8220;Where no man is oppressed&#8221;?<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"rank-math-faq\" class=\"rank-math-block\">\n<div class=\"rank-math-list \">\n<div id=\"faq-question-627746f534d58\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">When was the Nigerian National Anthem Composed?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>The first anthem of Nigeria was written in\u00a0<strong>1960<\/strong>. Later the government of Nigeria decided to change it and announced a competition for the national anthem. The committee chose five winners and combined their entries into one. \u201cArise, O Compatriots\u201d was composed in 1978.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-627746f534d5a\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">Who composed the Nigerian National Anthem?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>The first Nigerian National Anthem was composed by &#8220;Nigeria, We Hail Thee&#8221; was adopted as Nigeria&#8217;s first national anthem on October 1, 1960. The anthem&#8217;s lyrics were written by\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/web.facebook.com\/oldnaija\/posts\/this-is-lillian-jean-williams-the-woman-that-composed-nigerias-first-national-an\/2544861865758741\/?_rdc=1&amp;_rdr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Lillian Jean Williams<\/a><\/strong>, a British expatriate who lived in Nigeria when it achieved independence. Frances Berda composed the music for &#8220;Nigeria, We Hail Thee.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The first anthem of Nigeria was written in 1960. Later the government of Nigeria decided to change it after several petitions. The government announced a competition for the national anthem. The committee chose five winners and combined their entries into one. \u201cArise, O Compatriots\u201d was thus written by a committee in 1978. The music of the Nigerian anthem was, however, composed by\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Pa_Odiase\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Mr.<\/strong>\u00a0<strong>Ben Odiase<\/strong><\/a>, the director of the Nigeria Band. It is the most important symbol of any country, as the anthem unites all Nigerians into one sovereign state. And that is its meaning and purpose.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The names of the 5 winners are:<\/strong><br \/>1. Eme Etim Akpan<br \/>2. John A. Ilechukwu<br \/>3. B. A. Ogunnaike<br \/>4. P. O. Aderibigbe<br \/>5. Dr. Sota Omoigui<\/p>\n<p><strong><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/thumb\/b\/bc\/Nigeria_We_Hail_Thee_Sheet_Music.gif\/250px-Nigeria_We_Hail_Thee_Sheet_Music.gif\" alt=\"Nigeria We Hail Thee Sheet Music.gif\" title=\"\"><\/strong><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-627746f534d5b\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">Why was the first Nigerian National Anthem changed?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>When &#8220;Nigeria, We Hail Thee&#8221; was first announced, the new national anthem faced criticism for a number<sup>[<em><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wikipedia:Manual_of_Style\/Dates_and_numbers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">quantify<\/a><\/em>]<\/sup>\u00a0of reasons. The\u00a0<em>Daily Service<\/em>, a newspaper run by the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Yoruba_people\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Yoruba<\/a>\u00a0organisation\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Egb%C3%A9_%E1%BB%8Cm%E1%BB%8D_Od%C3%B9duw%C3%A0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Egb\u00e9 \u1eccm\u1ecd Od\u00f9duw\u00e0<\/a>, started a rebellious campaign against the national anthem, which led to a committee being established to collect signatures as a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Petition\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">petition<\/a>.<sup><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Nigeria,_We_Hail_Thee#cite_note-3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">[3]<\/a><\/sup> Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Nigeria,_We_Hail_Thee\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Wikipedia<\/a><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>RECOMMENDED<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-related-links\"><li><a href=\"https:\/\/experts.ng\/blog\/peace-mind-control\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">How To Embody Inner Peace &#8211; ExpertsNG<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/experts.ng\/blog\/fg-moves-to-review-outdated-treasury-accounting-documents\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">FG Moves to Review Outdated Treasury, Accounting Documents<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/experts.ng\/blog\/npower-2021\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">NPower 2021<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/experts.ng\/blog\/nigeria-zip-codes-postal-codes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Nigeria Codes: Postal And Zip | ExpertsNG<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A National Anthem is&nbsp;a solemn patriotic song&nbsp;that is officially taken by a country as an expression of national identity. Seldom used as prayer at official gatherings, a country&#8217;s anthem is more than a song, it is the embodiment of the hopes and aspirations of the founding fathers of such a country. Below is the official [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":38824,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","rop_custom_images_group":[],"rop_custom_messages_group":[],"rop_publish_now":"initial","rop_publish_now_accounts":{"twitter_3899566575_3899566575":""},"rop_publish_now_history":[],"rop_publish_now_status":"pending","sfsi_plus_gutenberg_text_before_share":"","sfsi_plus_gutenberg_show_text_before_share":"","sfsi_plus_gutenberg_icon_type":"","sfsi_plus_gutenberg_icon_alignemt":"","sfsi_plus_gutenburg_max_per_row":"","tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3451],"tags":[3574],"class_list":["post-38821","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-tourism","tag-nigeria-national-anthem"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.experts.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38821","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.experts.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.experts.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.experts.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.experts.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=38821"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.experts.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38821\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.experts.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/38824"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.experts.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=38821"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.experts.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=38821"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.experts.ng\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=38821"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}