President Bola Tinubu has decided to bring back the old national anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” by signing the National Anthem Bill 2024. This decision comes right as his administration hits its one-year mark, and it’s raising quite a few eyebrows.
Why It Matters
Is this really the time for a nostalgia trip? Tinubu has faced plenty of criticism during his first year in office, and now he’s adding to the controversy by changing the anthem. One can’t help but wonder, with all the pressing issues Nigeria faces, is this what the country needs right now?
During a joint session of the National Assembly on Wednesday, Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced that the President had signed the bill into law. This session was meant to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of Nigeria’s 4th Republic and coincided with Tinubu’s one-year anniversary in power. In an unexpected twist, Tinubu confirmed that “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” is now officially the national anthem.
Seriously, who thought this was a good idea? With the myriad of problems Nigeria is grappling with, changing the national anthem seems like a strange priority. Are we really supposed to start unlearning the anthem we’ve known since 1978 and adopt this old one again?
What They Are Saying
Akpabio explained that the session’s main purpose was to launch the new anthem, and that the President wouldn’t be giving a speech because he needed to attend the launch of the Abuja metro line. Apparently, changing the anthem was so important it had to be done in the middle of a hectic schedule.
Both the Senate and the House of Representatives had passed the legislation to revert to “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” in separate sittings. With the President’s signature, the anthem that’s been in place since 1978 is out, and the old one from Nigeria’s independence days is back.
For those who might not remember, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” was the anthem when Nigeria gained independence on October 1, 1960. The lyrics were penned by Lillian Jean Williams, a British expatriate, and the music was composed by Frances Berda. This anthem played a significant role in Nigeria’s early years, shaping the national identity and unity during the 1960s and 70s.
Bottom Line
Now, let’s dissect the lyrics of “Nigeria, we hail thee.” Are we truly living up to these ideals? Do we even have a united vision for this country? Why change the anthem? Is the anthem “Arise O Compatriots” the one kidnapping people or causing hunger? Let’s hope we’re not singing away our troubles and can see clearly the choices we’ve made.
Here are the lyrics to “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, and 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.
