The Nigerian House of Representatives on Thursday passed a bill for an act to revert the country to the old national anthem, known as Nigeria We Hail Thee.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the bill, sponsored by Leader of the House, Rep. Julius Ihonvbere, speedily passed first, second and third readings, amidst agitation by opposing lawmakers, who staged a walk out during the passage of the bill.
Despite the agitations, the bill was passed and subsequently sent to the Senate for concurrence.
Nigeria, We Hail Thee is the former national anthem of Nigeria, used from independence in 1960 until 1978. The anthem was adopted as Nigeria’s first national anthem on October 1, 1960.
The anthem’s lyrics were written by Lillian Jean Williams, a British expatriate who lived in Nigeria when the country achieved independence. Frances Berda composed the music for Nigeria, We Hail Thee.
However, following criticisms, Nigeria, We Hail Thee was changed as Nigerian national anthem in 1978 during the military regime of General Olusegun Obasanjo.
In addition to the criticisms, the anthem was changed as part of a broader effort to foster national unity and a sense of patriotism in the country.
Subsequently, a national competition was held with a committee set up to pick a new national anthem.
Nigeria’s present anthem, Arise, O Compatriots, was adopted in 1978, replacing Nigeria, We Hail Thee.
The current anthem was selected from the lyrics of 5 winning entries and fused into one. The entries were from P. O. Aderogbu, Babatunde Ogunnaike, John Ikechukwu, Eme Etim Akpan and Sotu Omoigwi.
The Director of Music in the Nigeria Police band, Benedict Odiase selected the lyrics, fused and composed it to what we have as the current Nigeria’s national anthem.
The new anthem was intended to reflect the values and aspirations of the Nigerian people at that time.
The previous national anthem, Nigeria, We Hail Thee, was seen as not fully capturing the essence of Nigeria as a nation.
The new anthem, Arise, O Compatriots, was introduced to better reflect the country’s diversity, unity, and aspirations for a better future.
The change in the national anthem was part of a series of reforms undertaken by the military government to promote national unity and pride in Nigeria. It was also seen as a way to break away from the colonial legacy and assert Nigeria’s identity as an independent nation.
Overall, the change in the Nigerian national anthem in 1978 was a symbolic gesture aimed at fostering a sense of national identity and unity among the diverse population of Nigeria.
Leading the debate on the general principle of the bill to revert to Nigeria, We Hail Thee, Rep Ihonvbere said that Arise, O Compatriots was not helping.
He added that there was a need to go back to the old national anthem, whose wordings were more patriotic.