The National Anthem Bill 2024, which reinstates the previous national anthem, “Nigeria, we laud thee,” has received President Bola Tinubu’s approval.
During a combined National Assembly session on Wednesday to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic, Senate President Godswill Akpabio disclosed this.
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Anticipated in the joint session is President Bola Tinubu. Explaining that the President will not be giving a speech because he must depart to inaugurate the Abuja metro line, Akpabio stated that the main purpose of the gathering is to introduce the new national anthem.
Prior to this, at separate sessions, the Senate and the House of Representatives enacted legislation changing the national anthem from “Arise, O Compatriots” to “Nigeria, We Hail Thee.” “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” which was written upon Nigeria’s independence on October 1, 1960, has taken the place of the previous anthem, “Arise, O Compatriots.” Frances Berda wrote the music for “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” while Lillian Jean Williams, a British expatriate who lived in Nigeria after its independence, wrote the words. Throughout the 1960s and the latter part of the 1970s, the anthem was crucial in forming Nigeria’s national identity and cohesion.
The reintroduction of “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” is a symbol of Nigeria’s future and a link to its past as it begins this new chapter. It serves as a reminder of the perseverance of the country and the value of pride, solidarity, and resilience. Even while not everyone is happy about the change, it offers a chance for introspection and discussion about what it means to be a Nigerian and how national symbols may inspire and bring a diverse population together. The decision made by President Tinubu confirms the idea that, even as Nigeria develops and faces new problems, a closer connection to the country’s heritage may be cultivated by revisiting historical sites. It is hoped that this modification will inspire future generations in addition to paying tribute to the past.
More than just a legislative measure, the return of “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” is an important cultural occasion that calls on all Nigerians to consider their common past, celebrate their shared identity, and look forward to a future based on the enduring principles of resilience, unity, and pride.
