Some Nigerian celebrities have taken to social media to react to the signing of the old National Anthem Bill 2024 into law.
TheNewsGuru.com reports that the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio announced on Wednesday at a joint session of the National Assembly that President Bola Tinubu signed the bill into law.
Akpabio further explained that the session’s main purpose is to launch the new national anthem, adding that the President will not be making a speech as he has to launch the Abuja metro line.
The move by the lawmakers sparked mixed outrage amongst Nigerians and celebrities alike, as they queried the government for prioritizing the national anthem over the current hardship in the country.
Amongst celebrities to react is Kate Henshaw, who slammed the government for thinking about the old anthem at a time of ‘excoriating hardship ‘ and ‘lack of good governance.’
She wrote: “In the midst of excoriating hardship and lack of good governance on every level but not to worry, going back to colonial anthem will be a soothing balm and inject patriotism back into our veins, a much needed drug. The labour of our heroes past… o ti lo”
Another celebrity who dived into the conversation is, Nigerian comedian and actor Otaghware Onod, better known as I Go Save.
The media personality in reaction posed a question to the Federal Government, inquiring if the government can bring back old dollar prices, old fuel prices, old flight prompt operating price, old taxation, old security standards and more.
He wrote; “Since una don bring back old national anthem, can you people bring back our old dollar price, old fuel price, old flight prompt operating style, old taxation, old security standards, etc.”.
For popular stand-up comedian and on-air personality, Steve Onu popularly known as Yaw, he lamented bitterly over the high cost of food, after which queried the lawmakers for changing the National anthem to old anthem yet are unable to do same for food prices in the market
He said, “How do people that earn 30k cope? A tuber of yam is now N5000, I bought this cucumber for N300. The prices of Foodstuff are increasing daily yet it is the National Anthem they are focusing on. Anyone that wants to visit me should please eat in their houses before coming.”
Veteran singer and social activist, Charles Oputa, aka Charly Boy tackled the government in what he termed, ‘covered up by false propaganda.’ He further asked the public for need that is most important between hunger and old national anthem.
He wrote: “Misplaced Priorities, incompetence, greed and the almighty CORRUPTION can never be covered up by false propaganda. My people, Wetin dey worry us pass for dis country, HUNGER or NATIONAL ANTHEM?”