The House of Representatives has passed a bill to revert to the old national anthem.
The bill, sponsored by the Majority Leader of the House, Julius Ihonvbere, was taken through the first, second and third reading on Thursday amid opposition from some lawmakers.
It is not very often that the house initiates a bill and passes same on the same legislative day.
Ihonvbere urged his colleagues to support the bill, saying it promotes unity of the country.
THE DEBATE
In his contribution, Kingsley Chinda, the minority leader, vehemently opposed the bill.
Chinda said there must be a “clear cause” to make laws, adding that “we will be taking ourselves back” by passing the bill.
“What value will it add to us as a nation?” he asked.
He said Nigerians are looking up to parliament to make laws that add value to the country.
“I stand to oppose it. I ask the leader to withdraw the bill,” he said.
Satomi Ahmed from Borno also opposed the bill, saying it would not stop hunger and banditry.
“Let us do something that will bring development in the eyes of the international community. Let us think of something that will bring progress,” he said.
Ahmed Jaha from Borno supported the bill, arguing that the ‘Arise O Compatriot’ anthem has not benefitted the country.
He said Nigerians do not identify with the current anthem.
When Ben Kalu, the deputy speaker who presided over plenary, put the bill to a voice vote, the “nays” were louder than the “ayes”. However, he said the “nays” had it.
BILL SCALES SECOND READING IN SENATE
Meanwhile, the bill has passed second reading in the red chamber.
The proposed legislation passed second reading after Opeyemi Bamidele, majority leader of the senate, led a debate on it.
Bamidele said there is a need to have an anthem that would promote patriotism in the country.
Contributing to the debate on the general principles of the bill, Victor Umeh, senator representing Anambra central, said an anthem is supposed to be motivational, adding that the current one is anything but emotive.
“The old one we are seeking to bring back is one that evokes emotions,” Umeh said.
“A national anthem is supposed to be motivational. There is motivation in the old anthem.
“I think from what my colleagues have said, there is nothing in the current anthem that motivates our people. If we bring it back, our children will be more committed to the ideals of nationhood.
“This old national anthem carries everything together.”
On his part, Plang Diket, senator representing Plateau central, said the old anthem promotes brotherhood.
“Unity can only be acquired when there is brotherhood,” Diket said.
“The reintroduction of brotherhood in our national anthem is fundamental.
“Though we are different, we are bound together. This bill talks about Nigeria’s flag. You go around and you see it tattered. There is a need for Nigerians to respect national symbols.”
Okechukwu Eze, senator representing Enugu north, said the current anthem “does not pass any message”.
The bill passed second reading after it was put to a voice vote by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The old national anthem was introduced on October 1, 1960, after Nigeria gained independence.
It served as the national anthem until 1978, when it was replaced with the current tune.
The lyrics of the old National Anthem, written by Lillian Jean Williams, composed by Frances Berda and sung between 1960 and 1978 were:
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
And this we count as gain
To pass unto 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.
The current national anthem was adopted in 1978 during the military regime of Olusegun Obasanjo.
It was written by John Ikechukwu, Eme Etim Akpan, Babatunde Ogunnaike, Sotu Omoigui and P. O. Aderogbu, five winners of a competition, and composed by Benedict Odiase.
The current national anthem is:
Arise, O Compatriots,
Nigeria’s call obey
To serve our Fatherland
With love and strength and faith
The labour of our heroes past
Shall never be in vain,
To serve with heart and might
One nation bound in freedom,
Peace and unity.
Oh God of all creation,
Direct our noble cause
Guide our leaders right
Help our youth the truth to know
In love and honesty to grow
And living just and true
Great lofty heights attain
To build a nation where peace
And justice shall reign.
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