• Netizens flay leadership for ‘misplaced priorities’
• Akpabio, Agbese, others welcome anthem
• Go the whole hog with regional, parliamentary systems of govt, cleric tells President
• National Assembly to get Supplementary Appropriation Bill soon

A section of the Nigerian public has come down hard on the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for scrapping the country’s national anthem, ‘Arise, O Compatriots…’, in favour of the old, ‘Nigeria We Hail Thee…’

Tinubu, yesterday, signed the National Anthem Bill 2024 into law coinciding with the country’s commemoration of 25 years of unbroken democracy. Thereafter, the President, at a joint session of the National Assembly, affirmed the change and sang the ‘new’ anthem alongside lawmakers and other top government officials.

“You sang out the latest national anthem, ‘Nigeria we hail thee’. You see, this is our diversity, representing all characters and how we blend together to be brothers and sisters,” the President said approvingly.

Tinubu’s acclaim was re-echoed by Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, who said: “We are thanking you for bringing back the old national anthem; taking us back to our genealogy, the genealogy of our birth, that though we belong to different tribes and tongues, in brotherhood we all stand. Henceforth, we will not refer to ourselves as just mere compatriots but as brothers.”

But some Nigerians voiced condemnation of the swap, describing it as a misplaced priority.

A former aide to ex-president Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri, said the development was “a step backwards”, stressing that ‘Arise, O Compatriots…’ was written by young Nigerians, including John A. Ilechukwu, Eme Etim Akpan, B. A. Ogunnaike, Sota Omoigui and P. O. Aderibigbe in 1978, but the old anthem, ‘Nigeria, We Hail Thee…’, was written by an English woman, Lillian Jean Williams.

He fumed: “We ought to have even changed that name (Nigeria) to something indigenous, such as the Republic of Wazobia, as Ghana did in 1957 when she changed from Gold Coast to Ghana at Independence in 1957.

“Instead of undertaking these name changes, we are rather doubling down on another colonial relic by discarding the anthem written by our own citizens for one written by a foreigner. I dare anyone reading this to name another country whose national anthem was written by a foreigner. Even a banana republic would not do that!”

Omokri said: “My heart is very heavy about Nigeria right now because, in my opinion, we just took a giant step backwards in our national journey. Now, do not get me wrong, I support the current economic policies of my country. Fuel subsidy removal and naira flotation are necessary policies that any lover of Nigeria should adhere to regardless of party affiliation.

“One of the most unnecessary acts of governance in Nigeria in recent times is the law returning the old national anthem. First of all, there was nothing wrong with the existing anthem. Secondly, with all of the multifaceted issues we face, it seems like we have a lack of priorities when we major on such a settled issue as an anthem.”

He added: “Does it not sound preposterous that a foreigner should write our national anthem? Are we that shallow and uninspired that we cannot come up with our own indigenous anthem? You can imagine the land of such music icons, like Fela Kuti, Osita Osadebe, Dan Maraya Jos, and contemporary stars, like Sade Adu, Burna Boy, Davido and Wizkid, importing music of national significance from Britain.

“Already, the name Nigeria was given to us by another English lady, Flora Shaw. And she named us in 1897 in much the same way you name a dog. She did it tongue in cheek, for an article she wrote for The Times of London.”

The Lead Bishop of Worldwide Anglican Church (WAC) in Nigeria, Seun Adeoye, urged the National Assembly to make laws that will return Nigeria to regional and parliamentary systems of government.

Adeoye, in a statement in Osogbo yesterday, said: “If after 46 years of jettisoning the old anthem, we still found it worthy and necessary to restore it into our national life; I think nothing is wrong when we bring back the old systems that had worked for us in the past.

“For me, I think Nigeria’s economy as it stands today is not strong enough to successfully fund the current presidential system of government and even bring about the expected developmental projects across Nigeria. Therefore, I suggest that we return to the parliamentary system as inherited from the British at independence in 1960.”

Also denouncing the anthem change, a former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, vowed she would never sing it.

Posting on X, Ezekwesili wrote: “Let it be known to all and sundry that I, Obiageli ‘Oby’ Ezekwesili, will, whenever asked to sing the Nigerian national anthem, sing: “Arise, O compatriots…”

She explained: “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.”

Other Nigerians took to social media to vent their anger.

An Instagram user with the handle, @pj.stars, said: “This is disrespect to Sir Benedict Odiase et al, who wrote and composed the existing national anthem. If not that we’ve all been toughened by hardship, this anthem should be sung with tears whenever it is recited. Every lyric is a message, every rhyme is a reminder of what we stand for and what our heroes have fought for. It is sad to see that this present government has no regard for history.”

Another, @__ewatomilola__, said: “We are hungry! Do something and stop this unnecessary thing! This is not our concern right now, please.”

Also, @darlex.obi said: “Things are expensive, unemployment is high. The national anthem is an issue that concerns the masses. Sometimes, I wonder if those in government hear the cry of the people.”
BUT deputy spokesman of the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, described the return to the old anthem as a pathway to Nigeria’s golden era.

Addressing newsmen yesterday, after the joint session of the National Assembly, Agbese said: “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.”

Agbese, who noted that the old anthem is more than just a song, said: “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.”

He added: “In a country as diverse as ours, the anthem is one of the few things that bind 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.”

Before the President’s arrival, during a plenary presided over by Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, an uproar had ensued when a lawmaker, Prof. Lilian Obiageli Orogbu, said Nigerians have nothing to celebrate as the nation marks 25 years of unbroken democracy.

Orogbu, representing Awka North/Awka South Federal Constituency of Anambra State, lamented that Nigerians were not enjoying dividends of democracy compared to what is obtained in other parts of the world.

Kalu had asked the lawmakers to make brief speeches on the celebration.
Orogbu said 25 years after the country returned to civilian rule, her constituency, including the majority of Nigerians, has not enjoyed the dividends of democracy.

“I have mixed feelings about today. Democracy should be a government of the people by the people and for the people. How has this 25 years we are celebrating impacted my people? How has it transformed to unbroken food security? How has it transformed to improved security,” she queried.

Before she finished speaking, however, Kalu interjected, saying: “So, you feel this day is not worth celebrating. It is because of democracy that you have the opportunity to be heard.”

Another lawmaker representing Kosofe Federal Constituency in Lagos State, Kafilat Ogbara, called for political party reforms to give women more opportunities to participate in politics and policy-making.

She said: “Nigerian women constitute over half the country’s population. A nation that underutilises such a population is not going anywhere. Thank God, the national chairman of the largest party is here. Nigerian women are being marginalised. We want political parties’ reform. We want a situation where the electoral body will reject a single-gender list. Nigerian women are only being used as dancers and singers. We want our women where decisions are being made.”

On his part, the lawmaker representing Zangon Kataf/Jaba Federal Constituency of Kaduna State, Amos Gwamna Magaji, said: “Certainly, we are not where we should be. As we move forward, there is a need for leadership at every level. Everything falls and lies on leadership. Nigeria is rich in both human and natural resources. We are glad; because of democracy, we are standing here. But there is still a need for freedom in Nigeria. There are parts of Nigeria that can’t pray freely. If we practice democracy, the same law governing one part of Nigeria should also be used in other parts. Nigeria also needs to provide social security for citizens, especially in health and education.”

Meanwhile, President Tinubu, at the National Assembly, stressed the need for the country to be self-reliant, saying no aid from foreign countries can replace the efforts of Nigerians themselves in building their nation.

The President also disclosed that a supplementary appropriation bill for 2024 will soon be presented to the National Assembly.

Tinubu was joined by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, first female Speaker of the House of Representatives, Patricia Etteh, Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, ministers, and top government officials.

The President, who walked to the floor of the green chamber at exactly 12:28 p.m., was welcomed to the tune of the new national anthem.