The Edo State House of Assembly on Monday passed a bill for a law to declare ‘Beautiful Edo, Glorious Edo’ as the official anthem of the State.
A motion to consider the bill was moved by the Majority Leader, Charity Aiguobarueghian, (PDP Ovia North East) and it was seconded by the Minority Leader, Henry Okaka(APC Owan East).
Considering the bill clause by clause, the lawmakers said the “Beautiful Edo, Glorious Edo” as the official anthem was to promote unity, pride and a sense of identity among Edo people.
The lawmakers said that the Anthem, composed by the wife of the state governor, Mrs Betsey Obaseki would leave a lasting legacy of her in the state.
Aiguobarughian said the bill, when passed into law, would also promote the cultural heritage of Edo people.
The Deputy Speaker, Maria Oligbi-Edeko, also said that late Anthony Enahoro was the first to move a motion for Nigeria independence,
Oligbi-Edeko added that Edo was always known for initiating new policies and programmes in the country.
The Speaker of the House, Blessing Agbebaku, said that Edo would be the first state to have an official anthem.
According to Agbebaku, if you listen to the lyrics and rhythm of the three stanzas of the anthem, they are all perfectly arranged and composed.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said that we should all go back to the old national anthem of “Nigeria we hail thee”. It also good that as a state, we also have our official anthem,” he said.
The lawmakers unanimously supported and passed the bill.
The Speaker directed the Clerk, Yahaya Omogbai to forward clean copies of the bill to Governor Godwin Obaseki for his assent.