The bill reintroducing the former national anthem has sparked discussions ever since President Bola Tinubu signed it. On May 23, the bill received expedited passage in the House of Representatives.
The majority leader of the house, Julius Ihonvbere, moved for the bill to be considered at the ‘committee of the whole,’ where the sections were voted on and approved. As a result, the bill passed on its third reading.
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Ihonvbere had pleaded with his colleagues to back the law, pointing out that it would advance national unity.
Promotion
During a public hearing on Tuesday, the bill was also passed by the senate, and on Wednesday, Tinubu signed it into law.
Nigerians’ reactions to the move have been mixed, with Numerous others expressing their annoyance and calling it a ‘misplaced priority.’
The theme of the former national song, which was played from 1960 until 1988, is ‘Nigeria, We Hail Thee,’ whereas the 1978 version is called “Arise, O Compatriots.”
Promotion
The former song was composed by Frances Berda, a fellow Brit, and penned by British expatriate Lillian Jean Williams. Nigerian composer Benedict Odiase wrote the 1978 national anthem.
CONFAB SUGGESTED GOING BACK TO THE OLD ANTHEM
Nigeria should play its ancient national anthem again, as recommended by the committee on political restructuring and forms of administration, which made this recommendation to the national conference called by former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2014.
The 492-member conference was opened by the former president and led by retired judge Idris Kutigi. to talk about how the country is governed politically.
Publicity
Delegates in favor of the motion sang the anthem on the plenary floor during a review of the committee’s report. They argued that this emblem of togetherness, peace, and prosperity is superior to the present one, which was written by the late Odiase.
The idea to rename Nigeria and alter its national flag was, nevertheless, rejected by them.
