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                      SUPPLEMENT DATED OCTOBER 29, 1996 TO
                        PROSPECTUS DATED MAY 1, 1996 FOR

                 INDIVIDUAL DEFERRED VARIABLE ANNUITY CONTRACTS

                                    ISSUED BY

                  NATIONWIDE LIFE AND ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY

                                   THROUGH ITS

                       NATIONWIDE VA SEPARATE ACCOUNT - C


This Supplement updates certain information contained in your Prospectus. Please
read it and keep it with your Prospectus for future reference.

Effective October 17, 1996, Nationwide Financial Services, Inc. has changed its
name to Nationwide Advisory Services, Inc. Accordingly, any and all references
to Nationwide Financial Services, Inc. in this Prospectus are hereby amended to
reflect this name change.



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