Nigerians would have to learn the words of the old national anthem ‘Nigeria We Hail Thee’ after President Bola Tinubu Wednesday signed into law, a bill that discards ‘Arise O Compatriots.’
Senate president, Godswill Akpabio informed Nigerians of the development while during the ongoing joint session of the National Assembly.
The Senate passed the bill on Tuesday after a majority of the senators supported it through voice votes. The bill was moved by Julius Ihonvbere, who believed the old anthem would reignite patriotism and nationalism among citizens.
‘Nigeria, We Hail Thee’, which was adopted as the country’s first national anthem on October 1, 1960. It stopped playing in 1978 during the military regime of General Olusegun Obasanjo who wanted to do away with British colonial legacy. “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” was written by Lillian Jean Williams in 1959 and composed by Frances Berda.
In his speech at the joint sitting, the Senate President urged Nigerians to familiarise themselves with the new national anthem.
The new national anthem was recited upon President Tinubu’s arrival in the House chamber for the joint session.Nigerians have reacted on X social media
@charlycity: “Nigerians never agreed to this; the Reps and senators never consulted with their constituencies before going ahead with this retrogressive and inconsequential bill.”
@GbengaSegu23029: “Why go back to the old national anthem when we can ask our creative songwriters to give us something better than the existing old anthems?”
@Iamkingsleyf: “Please, can you guys hurry like this and bring back the 1963 constitution?”
@AbiolaMaylaw: What will this return to the old anthem do to Nigeria and Nigerians? Why are they quick to pass this bill into law?”
@LOhineme: “It appears that this government wants to distract Nigerians from focusing on the hardship they are battling with by forcing us to learn an old national anthem. This is a misplacement of priorities.”
@SamFomwul: “How is this supposed to improve the welfare of the masses? Na wa oh!”
@Gospel_rxx: “A new national anthem is the priority for Tinubu & Co at a time like this, When our people can’t eat, insecurity is rife & life is hell? What a sordid joke!!. Lets see how they implement it…”
@Fola Folayan: “Changing the Nigerian national anthem written by a Nigerian, to the song written by colonizers is a stupid decision and it’s shameful that nobody in the National Assembly thought to stand against it.”
