Dìde, Èyin Ará

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Dìde, Èyin Ará

Nigeria's present national anthem, "Arise, O compatriots" was adopted in 1978.

Arise, O compatriots, Nigeria's call obey

To serve our fatherland

With love and strength and faith

The labour of our heroes past

Shall never be in vain

To serve with heart and might

One nation bound in freedom, peace and

unity.

Oh God of creation, direct our noble cause

Guide our leaders right

Help our youth the truth to know

In love and honesty to grow

And living just and true

Great lofty heights attain

To build a nation where peace and justice

shall reign

It replaced the anthem "Nigeria We Hail Thee", adopted on independence in 1960. The words were written by a British expatriate, Lilian Jean Williams, while the music was composed by Frances Benda.

Nigeria, we hail thee,

Our own dear native land,

Though tribe and tongue may differ,

In brotherhood we stand,

Nigerians all, and proud to serve

our sovereign motherland.

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

O Lord 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.