Arise, O Compatriots

Arise, O Compatriots

National anthem of Nigeria
Lyrics	John A. Ilechukwu, Eme Etim Akpan, B. A. Ogunnaike, Sota Omoigui and P.O. Aderibigbe
Music	Nigerian Police Band under the directorship of B. E. Odiasse
Adopted	1978
Relinquished	present
Audio sample
File:United States Navy Band - Arise O Compatriots.ogg Arise O Compatriots (Instrumental) file help

"Arise, O Compatriots" is the national anthem of Nigeria. It was adopted in 1978 and replaced the previous anthem, Nigeria, We Hail Thee. The lyrics are a combination of words and phrases taken from five of the best entries in a national contest. The words were put to music by the Nigerian Police Band under the directorship of Benedict E. Odiase.

English lyrics

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

And 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 reign.

Lyrics in Igbo

Zọlié ndi àlà anyị

Záá òkù Naijiria

Ka ànyị jee ózi n'okwukwe

N'íké, n'ịhụnanya

Ka íké ndị odogwu ànyị kpàrà

Ghàrá ịla n'íyì

Ji óbì, n'íké jee ozi

Ótù obodo nwe ònwé ya

Ùdó na idi n'ótùlu

Kunienu Umu ibe Zaa Oku Nke Nijiria Irulu Ana Nna anyi Olu Ihunanya Ike n'okwukwe Olu ji ke nna nna anyi ha aganyi ina n'yi Itinye Ike an obi n'olu Otu mba nw'onwe ha Ma jikota onu Udo n'di n'otu.

Lyrics in Hausa

Yaku 'yan Nijeriya ku farka;

Ku amsa kiran Nijeriya;

Domin mu taimaki ƙasarmu ta haihuwa;

Don aiki ga ƙasata cikin soyayya da riƙon gaskiya;

Domin gudumawar da shuwagabaninmu 'yan kishin ƙasa suka bada;

kada ta zama a banza;

Muyi aiki da zuciya ɗaya da girmamawa a gareta;

Domin ta kasance ƙasa ɗaya mai yanci ga kowa tare da haɗin kai da zaman lafiya.

Lyrics in Yoruba

Dide eyin ara .

Wa je-pe Naijiria,

ka fife sin 'lewa

pelu okun ati 'gbagbo

Ki ise awon akoni wa

ko ma se ja sa-san,

Ka sin tokan-tara

ile tominira wa,

alafia so-dokan.

Second Stanza

Olorun Eleda

To ipa ona wa

F'ona han asaaju

K'odo wa m'otito

K'ododo at'ife po sii

K'aye won je pipe

So won d'eni giga

K'alafia oun eto le

Joba ni 'le wa

THE PLEDGE

Mo se ileri fun Orile-Ede mi Naijiria,

Lati je olododo, eniti o see f'okan tan

Ati olotito eniyan

Lati sin in pelu gbogbo agbara mi,

Lati sa ipa mi gbogbo fun isokan re

Ati lati gbe e ga fun iyi ati ogo re.

Ki Olorun ran mi l'owo

National Pledge

The Pledge is recited immediately after the National Anthem

  I pledge to Nigeria my country
  To be faithful, loyal and honest
  To serve Nigeria with all my strength
  To defend her unity, and uphold her honour and glory
  So help me God.

References

• Nigerian National Anthem And Pledge - Nairaland

External links

• Nigeria: Arise, O Compatriots - Audio of the national anthem of Nigeria, with information and lyrics
• The Consulate General of Nigeria, New York. USA