Obiageli Ezekwesili, former minister of education, says she will not recite the reintroduced old national anthem.

The old national anthem is themed ‘Nigeria, We Hail Thee’ while the one used since 1978 is titled ‘Arise, O Compatriots’.

The house of representatives speedily passed the bill on May 23, while the senate on Tuesday also passed the bill on Tuesday during a public hearing.

Julius Ihonvbere, the lawmaker who sponsored the bill, anchored his argument on the need for patriotism and nationalism among citizens.

“This is my own National Anthem and let it be known that no one can suppress my right to dissent an obnoxious “law” that is repugnant to all that is of good conscience in Nigeria.

“Whatever else is #NotMyNationalAnthem.“

Tinubu said the reintroduced anthem portrays the country’s diversity and unity.

Before the passage of the bill and the presidential assent, there were calls for broader consultation on reintroducing the old national anthem.

Shehu Sani, a former senator representing Kaduna central, said changing the national anthem should be done after consultations with Nigerians.

Sani said altering the national anthem without wide consultation would be seen as an attempt to dissolve Nigeria.

President Bola Tinubu has approved the extension of free rides on the Abuja metro rail to the end of 2024.

Tinubu gave the approval on Wednesday when he flagged off the operations of the metro rail.

More to follow…

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday addressed a joint sitting of the National Assembly in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

Tinubu’s visit to the lawmakers comes as the nation marks 25 years of unbroken democracy.

The President stepped into the parliament at 12:28pm, accompanied by the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima.

Upon his arrival, the lawmakers recited the new national anthem, “Nigeria, we hail thee” which the President had earlier signed into law.

Briefing the lawmakers, he thanked them for their efforts in sustaining the nation’s democracy for over two decades.

“Out of respect, I want to say thank you very much. This is the institution building the country,” he said.

“Our friends, old and new, to every Nigerian, I say congratulations to 25 years of unbroken democracy.”

According to the President, the new National Assembly represent the diversity in the country.

He also commended the federal lawmakers for collaborating with the executive in building the nation, saying no foreign aid will be enough, and All Nigerians must work to make the nation for generations yet unborn.

The Senate and the House of Representatives had previously passed the legislation to swap the national anthem from “Arise, O Compatriots” to “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” at separate sittings.

The old anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee”, composed when Nigeria gained independence on October 1, 1960, has replaced the “Arise, O Compatriots” anthem.

Lillian Jean Williams, a British expatriate who lived in Nigeria during its independence, penned the lyrics for “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” while Frances Berda composed the music. The anthem played a significant role in shaping Nigeria’s national identity and unity during the 1960s and late 1970s.

What are the lyrics to Nigeria We Hail Thee?

Nigeria, we hail thee,

Our own dear native land,

Though tribe and tongue may differ,

In brotherhood, we stand,

Nigerians all, and proud to serve

Our sovereign Motherland.

Our flag shall be a symbol

That truth and justice reign,

In peace or battle honour’d,

And this we count as gain,

To hand on to our children

A banner without stain.

O God of all creation,

Grant this our one request,

Help us to build a nation

Where no man is oppressed,

And so with peace and plenty

Nigeria may be blessed.