₦airaland Forum

The Royal Coat of Arms of France

These are the coats of arms of the former French Kingdom.

The Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom:


The shield: The shield is divided into 4 quarters. The first quarter contains the 3 lions (representing England), the second quarter contains a single lion (representing Scotland), the 3rd quarter contains a harp (representing Ireland).

The crest: The crest is a lion standing on the Imperial Crown.

Supporters: On the right (dexter) is a crowned lion and on the right (sinister) is a unicorn.

Motto: The motto is “Dieu et mon Droit” (God and my right), referring to the divine right of kings.

Compartment: In the compartment are the union rose (representing both England and the United Kingdom), shamrock (the national flower of Ireland) and thistle (the national flower of Scotland).

Foreign countries 2

Foreign countries 1

North-Eastern State flag (1967-1975)

FORMER STATES OF NIGERIA

1) Western State Flag (1967-1975)


2) East Central State flag (1967-1975)



3) Benue-Plateau State flag (1967-1975)



4) North-Western State flag (1967-1975)

1) Eastern Region flag (1960-1967)



2) Former governor of the Eastern Region, Lieutenant Colonel Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu standing in front of the coat of arms of the Eastern Region.



3) Mid-Western Region flag (1964-1967)
(This flag was also the flag of the Mid-Western State from 1967-1975).




4) Mid-Western Region coat of arms (1964-1967)


”The Mid-Western Region adopted arms by proclamation of the Governor in 1964. The proclamation recites that:

“Whereas in divers times and places it has been the custom of Rulers to adopt arms or Ensigns Armorial for the greater honour an distinction of their States,” so in this instance, at the request of the Premier of Mid-Western Nigeria the Governor has thought fit to appoint and declare that the arms of the Governor and State shall be as follows:

Per fess vert and or, a Benin Royal Sword (Ada) and a Canoe paddle (Ugoko) in saltire proper. Crest: on a wreath of the colours, a bunch of palm nuts proper. Supporters: dexter, a lion guardant; sinister, a horse, each supporting an elephant’s tusk argent.” Motto: unity and strength.

FORMER REGIONS OF NIGERIA

1) Northern Region flag (1960-1967)



2) Northern Region coat of arms (1960-1967)



3) Western Region flag (1960-1967)




4) Western Region coat of arms (1960-1967)

1) Flag of the commander in chief of the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (aka the Armed Forces flag).




2) The national flag and the flag of the commander in chief at the council chamber at the Aso Rock Villa.



3) Seal of the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

HEADS OF STATE OF NIGERIA

1) Flag of the governor-general of Nigeria




2) Former flag of the president of Nigeria




3) Current flag of the president of Nigeria


4) You can see the presidential flag behind President Buhari in this picture.

Picture 1: Nigerian coat of arms 1960-1978


The Coat of Arms of Nigeria has a black shield with two wavy silver bands that come together, like the letter Y. These represent the two main rivers flowing through Nigeria: the Benue River and the Niger River, Nigeria’s main inland waterways, which form a confluence at Lokoja.

The black shield represents Nigeria’s fertile soil, while the two horses or chargers on each side represent dignity and pride. The eagle represents strength, while the green and white bands on the top of the shield represent the rich agricultural land of the inspiring country.

The yellow flowers at the base are Costus Spectabilis, Nigeria’s national flower. This flower was chosen for inclusion in the coat of arms as it is found all over Nigeria. On the band around the base is Nigeria’s national motto since 1978, “Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress”, formerly “Unity and Faith”.


Picture 2) Nigerian coat of arms 1978-present.



Former Nigerian anthem. (1960-1978)

"Nigeria, We Hail Thee" was adopted as Nigeria's first national anthem on October 1, 1960. The anthem's lyrics were written by Lillian Jean Williams, a British expatriate who lived in Nigeria when it achieved independence. Frances Berda composed the music for "Nigeria, We Hail Thee." The Federal Government had announced a competition for a new national anthem for Nigeria, with a prize of £1,000 attached to it. The prize was won by Lillian Jean Williams.

The anthem was criticised in 1960 because some Nigerians felt that the government should have selected one of the entries that was submitted by Nigerians. Some people also believed that the anthem was plagiarised from an old English hymn, while others felt that the anthem did not capture the Nigerian spirit.

Nigeria We Hail Thee

Nigeria we hail thee,
Our own dear native land,
Though tribe and tongue may differ,
In brotherhood we stand,
Nigerians all, are proud to serve
Our sovereign Motherland.

Our flag shall be a symbol
That truth and justice reign,
In peace or battle honour'd,
And this we count as gain,
To hand on to our children
A banner without stain.

O God 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.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyXxbSVES28



Current Nigerian anthem (1978-present)

“Arise O Compatriots” was adopted as Nigeria's national anthem on October 1, 1978. The lyrics are a combination of words and phrases taken from five of the best entries in a national contest. The lyrics are by John A. Ilechukwu, Eme Etim Akpan, B. A. Ogunnaike, Sota Omoigui and P. O. Aderibigbe. The words were put to music by the Nigerian Police Band under the directorship of Benedict E. Odiase.

The anthem was criticised by some Nigerians because it was composed when the country was under military rule (some people said that it sounded like military music). The National Association of Nigerian Student (NANS), therefore, prefers to sing the old national anthem.

Arise O Compatriots

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 thou 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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXULFLF_nWM




The National Pledge

The Nigerian National Pledge was written by Professor (Mrs.) Felicia Adebola Adedoyin in 1976.

Professor Adedoyin’s children were already reciting the Oath of Allegiance in their school in New York, USA and also the State Pledge (which was introduced on 1 June, 1976) in Achimota School in Accra Ghana and they wanted to know why they didn't recite any Pledge while they were in Nigeria. She told them that Nigeria did not have any national pledge. This exchange with her children spurred her to conceive a new national pledge for Nigeria, which she wrote in June 1976. The work was published in the Daily Times of July 15, 1976 in an article titled "Loyalty to the Nation, Pledge".

Barrister Adewusi, who was a mutual friend of the Adedoyins and Lieutenant General Olusegun Obasanjo (the then head of state) read the Daily Times article and eventually presented it to Obasanjo in August 1976. General Obasanjo modified it slightly and adopted it.

In September 1976, he decreed that all school children should recite the pledge in their school assemblies daily.

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 honour and glory,
So help me God.

3) Colony And Protectorate Of Nigeria (1914-1960)

Picture 1) Flag



Picture 2) The coat of arms of Nigeria at that time was the royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom.


4) The Federation/Federal Republic Of Nigeria

Picture 3) Prototype flag

Michael Taiwo Akinkumi was studying in Britain in 1958, when he heard about a competition to design the new Nigerian flag. He submitted the design below to the committee. The committee chose his design as the winning entry, but removed the sun at the centre of the flag. Thus we got our green-white-green flag.




Picture 4) Nigerian flag

The Flag of Nigeria was designed in 1959 and first officially hoisted on October 1, 1960. The two unique sea-green bands represent the forests and abundant natural wealth of Nigeria while the white band represents peace.

NIGERIA

1) Colony And Protectorate Of Southern Nigeria

Picture 1) Flag of the Colony and Protectorate of Southern Nigeria (1900-1914)



Picture 2) Badge of the Colony and Protectorate of Southern Nigeria (1900-1914)


2) Protectorate of Northern Nigeria

Picture 3) Flag of the Protectorate of Northern Nigeria (1900-1914)


Picture 4) Badge of the Protectorate of Northern Nigeria (1900-1914)