Tinubu Signs Bill Returning Old Anthem Into Law

Afinju FM — Wed, 29 May 2024 12:16:35 +0000

“This morning, Mr President signed into an Act of Parliament, the newly passed National Anthem 2024,” Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, said on Wednesday at a joint session of the National Assembly marking the Silver Jubilee Of Nigeria’s 4th Republic.

The occasion coincided with the first anniversary of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Tinubu, who later joined the joint session, confirmed ‘Nigeria, we hail thee’ as the “latest national anthem”.

Akpabio said the sitting was primarily to launch the new national anthem, explaining that the President would not be making a speech because he has to leave to launch the Abuja metro line.

The Senate and the House of Representatives had previously passed the legislation to swap the national anthem from “Arise, O Compatriots” to “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” at separate sittings.

Following the signing of the bill by the President to reintroduce the old national anthem, the joint sitting jettisoned what has been in existence since 1978, to adopt the former (and newly signed) national anthem ‘Nigeria, we hail thee’.

The old anthem, “Nigeria, we hail thee”, composed when Nigeria gained independence on October 1, 1960, has replaced the “Arise, O Compatriots” anthem.

It would be recalled that Lillian Jean Williams, a British expatriate who lived in Nigeria during its independence, penned the lyrics for “Nigeria, we hail thee,” while Frances Berda composed the music.

The anthem played a significant role in shaping Nigeria’s national identity and unity during the 1960s and late 1970s.

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House Of Reps Passes Bill To Revert To Old National Anthem

Afinju FM — Thu, 23 May 2024 14:21:14 +0000

The bill was quickly passed through first second and third reading within minutes. The lead debate for a return to the old anthem by the House Leader, Professor Julius Ihonvbere, pointed to the need for Nigerians to see the anthem as a national symbol and sign of authority, one which does not deny the realities.
The old anthem “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” was replaced with the current one “Arise, O Compatriots in 1978.
The Minority Leader, kingsley Chinda, however, opposed the bill, saying the old anthem has a colonial tag which was the reason for the new anthem. He highlighted that the old anthem was authored and composed by Britons. Mr Chinda questioned the importance of the anthem change at a time of more important challenges in the country.
However, the bill was given expedited passage and subsequently passed by the lawmakers.
At the Senate, the bill scaled through first and second reading.It has been referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters to report back to the house in two weeks.The Senators, who appeared unanimous in support of the bill, argued that it would promote better symbol for unity, peace and prosperity, compared to the current one.

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Tinubu Signs Bill Returning Old Anthem Into Law

House Of Reps Passes Bill To Revert To Old National Anthem