The House of Representatives has passed a bill to revert to the old national anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee”.
This comes as the country still grapples severely with insecurity, inflation, an unstable economy, and hardship fueled by the federal government’s policies.
The bill was passed on Thursday through the first, second, and third readings within minutes.
The House Leader, Professor Julius Ihonvbere, argued for returning to the old anthem, stating that Nigerians must see its importance as a national symbol and sign of authority, acknowledging the country’s realities.
However, Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda opposed the bill, stating that the old anthem had a colonial association, which led to the adoption of the new anthem.
He noted that the old anthem was written and composed by Britons and questioned the necessity of changing it given the country’s more pressing issues. However, the bill was quickly passed by the lawmakers.
Meanwhile, the bill passed the first and second readings in the Senate and was referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters, which will report back in two weeks.
The Senators unanimously supported the bill, arguing that it would serve as a better symbol of unity, peace, and prosperity than the current anthem.
The old anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” was replaced in 1978 by the current one, “Arise, O Compatriots.”
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