This is Lari’s CAFÉ, an Abuja based media platform, dedicated to promoting Indigenous Culture through the recognition of true Nigerian Icons of the Art, Fashion and Entertainment Industries.
INTRODUCING NIGERIA
Nigeria is a country created in 1914 and independent in October 1, 1960. The name Nigeria was given by Flora Shaw, a British journalist also the wife of Lord Fredrick Luggard.
The Nigerian flag was designed by Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi in 1959. On the flag, the color white represents peace while the color Green represents Nigeria\’s natural wealth.
The coat of arms was adopted May 20, 1960. It has a black shield with two white lines that form in a \”Y\” shape, two horses by the sides of the shield, a green and white band on the top of the shield, an eagle on top of the band and a patch of grass beneath them.
The current Nigerian National Anthem was adopted in 1978. The lyrics were written by John A. Ilechukwu, Eme Etim Akpan, B.A. Ogunnaike, Sota Omoigui and P.O. Aderibigbe, while the music was composed by the Nigerian Police Band under the directorship of B. E. Odiase.
ENGLISH
Stanza One: Arise, O compatriots, Nigeria’s call obey
To serve our fatherland
With love and strength and faith
The labor of our heroes past
Shall never be in vain
To serve with heart and might
One nation bound in freedom, peace and unity.
Stanza Two: O 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.
The Pledge: 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 honor and glory
So help me God.
HAUSA
Stanza One: Yaku \’yan Nijeriya ku farka
Ku amsa kiran Nijeriya;
Domin mu taimaki kasarmu ta haihuwa;
Don aiki ga kasata cikin soyayya da rikon gaskiya;
Domin gudumawar da shuwagabaninmu \’yan kishin kasa suka bada;
kada ta zama a banza;
Muyi aiki da zuciya daya da girmamawa a gareta;
Domin ta kasance kasa daya mai yanci ga kowa tare da hadin
kai da zaman lafiya.
IGBO
Stanza One: Bilie nu, O nwafor ibe m,
Nigeria na-akpo oku rube isi
Iji na-eje ozi n\’ala nna anyi
Na ịhụnanya na ike na okwukwe.
Mbọ ndi dike anyi gara aga gbara
A gaghi ala n\’iyi
Iji na-eje ozi na obi na ike
Ofu mba agbụ na nnwere onwe, udo na ịdị n\’otu.
Stanza Two: O Chukwu okike
Tuzie mbọ anyị dị ezie
Duzie ndi ochichi anyị n\’uzo ziri ezi
Nyere ndị ntorobịa anyị aka ima eziokwu
Ma too n\’ịhụnanya na eziokwu
Ma bie ndụ n\’ikwuakaọtọ na ezi
Ime ọfuma ka anyi chọrọ
Nakwa iwu obodo ebe ndokwa
Na ikpe nkwumọtọ ga-achi.
The Pledge: E kwere m Nigeria bu obodo m
Inwe okwukwe, iguzosi ike na inwe eziokwu
Iji ike m niile na-ejeru Nigeria ozi
Ichebe njiko ya, ma bulite ezi afa na ebube ya
Ya mere, nyere m aka Chineke.
YORUBA
Stanza One: Dide eyin ara
Waka je ipe Naijiria
K\’a fife sin \’le wa
Pel\’okun at\’igbagbo
Kise awon akoni wa,
ko mase ja s\’asan
K\’a sin t\’okan tara
Ile t\’ominira,at\’al aafia
So d\’okan
Stanza Two: 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