.,.. Nigeria’s name, flag should also be changed – Mike Ozekhome
….An obnoxious law’ — Ezekwesili says she’ll continue to sing former national anthem
….. Hungry People Don’t Sing’, – Nigerians
….It will restore Nigeria’s lost glory- House of Reps deputy spokesperson
Mixed reactions have continued to trail the adoption of Old National Anthem, Nigeria We Hail Thee.
While some applaud the adoption, others were of the view that the adoption is not necessary.
It could be recalled that President Bola Tinubu has signed the National Anthem bill seeking to return the old national anthem ‘Nigeria, We hail thee’ into law.
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio announced this at the joint sitting of the Senate and House of Representatives on Wednesday.
National Anthem: Nigeria’s name, flag should also be changed – Mike Ozekhome
In his view, rights activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Prof Mike Ozekhome, described Nigeria’s return to the old national anthem as a welcome development.
According to him, the change of the national anthem was long overdue.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Ozekhome said he was elated by Nigeria’s return to the old national anthem, 10 years after he moved a motion for it at the 2014 National Conference.
“Bringing the old National Anthem back is well overdue. It has better lyrics in content and context, like the Senate President said. It is better than the other one,” he said.
“The name Nigeria and the flag should also be changed.”
Reverting to the old National Anthem will restore Nigeria’s lost glory- House of Reps deputy spokesperson
Also, the deputy spokesman of the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, has said that the return of the country to the old national anthem will help restore the lost glory of Nigeria.
Agbese said this while speaking to newsmen after the president visited the National Assembly. Agbese praised the President for his swift action on legislative matters and the Speaker of the House for his outstanding leadership and dedication to democratic governance.
“The signing of the National Anthem and Student Loan Bills into law, which took less than 48 hours, is a testament to President Tinubu’s willingness to engage with the legislature and drive meaningful change. I’m particularly thrilled with the return to our old national anthem as a major step towards the country’s return to glory days. This was an era of prosperity; when the economy worked, infrastructure was in top shape, agriculture was still the in thing and our educational system was among the best.
This anthem, with its familiar lyrics and stirring melody, evokes a sense of nostalgia and patriotism in the hearts of many Nigerians. It reminds us of our history, our struggles, and our triumphs. Its return is a welcome move that resonates with citizens from all walks of life.
The old national anthem is more than just a song; it’s a symbol of our shared values and aspirations. Its lyrics speak to our collective desire for unity, peace, and progress. It reminds us of the sacrifices made by our founding fathers and the struggles of our national heroes.
In a country as diverse as ours, the national anthem is one of the few things that binds us together. It’s a common thread that runs through our collective fabric, reminding us of our shared identity and purpose. I applaud the decision to return to our old national anthem and urge all Nigerians to embrace this move with open arms. Let us sing our national anthem with pride and passion, and let its lyrics inspire us to work towards a brighter future for ourselves and for generations to come.”he said
‘An obnoxious law’ — Ezekwesili says she’ll continue to sing former national anthem
Obiageli Ezekwesili, former minister of education, says she will not recite the reintroduced old national anthem.
The old national anthem is themed: ‘Nigeria, We Hail Thee’ while the one used since 1978 is titled ‘Arise, O Compatriots’.
The house of representatives speedily passed the bill on May 23, while the senate passed the bill on Tuesday during a public hearing.
Julius Ihonvbere, the lawmaker who sponsored the bill, anchored his argument on the need for patriotism and nationalism among citizens.
On Wednesday morning, President Bola Tinubu signed the bill and was welcomed to the floor of the green chamber to the tune of the reintroduced national anthem.
Ezekwesili, who described the law as repugnant, said she would continue to sing the former 46-year-old anthem.
“Let it be known to all and sundry that I, Obiageli “Oby” Ezekwesili will whenever asked to sing the Nigerian National Anthem sing: 1. Arise, O compatriots, Nigeria’s call obey,” the former minister said, referring to the first lines of the former anthem.
“This is my own National Anthem and let it be known that no one can suppress my right to dissent an obnoxious “law” that is repugnant to all that is of good conscience in Nigeria.
“Whatever else is #NotMyNationalAnthem.“
Tinubu said the reintroduced anthem reflects the country’s diversity and unity.
Before the passage of the bill and the presidential assent, there were calls for broader consultation on the subject.
Shehu Sani, a former senator representing Kaduna central, said changing the national anthem should be done after consultations with Nigerians.
Sani said altering the national anthem without consulting widely would be seen as an attempt to dissolve Nigeria.
