Singing the Nigerian National Anthem – Basic 1 Cultural & Creative Arts Lesson Note (Second Term)

The National Anthem is the special song of our country, Nigeria. We sing it with respect, standing straight and facing the flag. This lesson teaches the first verse, the meanings of five difficult words, the tonic sol-fa for the first line, and the steps for practising the song as a class.

What is the Nigerian National Anthem?

Our country Nigeria has a special song called the National Anthem.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

• say the first verse of the National Anthem
• give the meanings of the difficult words in the anthem
• sing the first line of the anthem using tonic sol-fa
• show the right behaviour when the anthem is sung
• follow the steps for practising the anthem

What is the first verse of the National Anthem?

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.

What are the difficult words in the anthem?

• Compatriots (com-pa-tri-ots): Nigerians, our people
• Obey (o-bey): to follow, to listen
• Fatherland (fa-ther-land): our country Nigeria
• Labour (la-bour): work, effort
• Vain (vain): useless, wasted

What is the tonic sol-fa for the first line?

m r d m | s m r d
A – rise O com – pa – tri – ots

s l s m | r m d –
Ni – ge – ri – a’s call o – bey

How do we behave when we sing the National Anthem?

• Stand straight.
• Put your hands by your side.
• Sing with respect.
• Do not play around.
• Face the flag.

How do we practise the anthem?

1. Learn the difficult words first.
2. Say the words slowly.
3. Learn the tune with sol-fa.
4. Sing together as a class.
5. Sing with respect.

Evaluation

Multiple choice exercise

1. Our country’s special song is called _____.
   • a) Birthday song
   • b) National Anthem
   • c) Christmas carol
2. When singing the anthem, we should _____.
   • a) play around
   • b) stand straight
   • c) sit down
3. “Compatriots” means _____.
   • a) strangers
   • b) Nigerians
   • c) animals
4. We sing the anthem with _____.
   • a) respect
   • b) noise
   • c) dancing
5. Our fatherland is _____.
   • a) Ghana
   • b) Nigeria
   • c) America

Assignment

1. Practise the first verse of the National Anthem.
2. Learn the meaning of “compatriots”.
3. Stand and sing the anthem at home.
4. Draw the Nigerian flag (green-white-green).