President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has forwarded an executive bill to the Senate, requesting for the re-introduction of the Old National Anthem, with reasons that it will inspire Netizens to build an indivisible country.
This followed the presentation of the lead debate on the general principles of the Executive bill by the sponsor, the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, APC, Ekiti Central.
The bill sponsored by the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, APC, Ekiti Central, is titled “A Bill for an Act to Provide for the National Anthem of Nigeria, and for matters related thereto, 2024”.
The bill which was read for the first time yesterday and also given accelerated hearing where it scaled second reading has been referred to the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Federal Character and Inter Governmental Affairs, to report back as soon as possible.
In the lead debate on the general principles of the bill, the Senate leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, said that the Bill seeks to make provision for Nigeria to revert to its old National Anthem that would promote better symbol for unity, peace and prosperity – compared to the current one.
He said, “the old Anthem if reintroduced , will inspire in us the zeal to build a fully integrated and indivisible nation, whereby all citizens will live in unity and harmony.“
He also said that, “The Anthem, upon rendition, inspired and stimulated deep sense of patriotism in Nigerians. You will also agree with me that those who were around in the 60s and the late 70s, would attest to the fact that the Anthem played quite a significant and crucial role in shaping Nigeria’s national identity and unity, as well as engendered high sense of value and personal belonging amongst the citizenry.
“It was symbolic of Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage and nationhood. In retrospect, the Anthem served as regular and constant reminder of our journey, as a nation and provoked feelings of nostalgia and fond memories of the country’s early years.
“Mr President, my dear colleagues, at this momentous time in our national history, it is imperative that we utilise any platform that seeks to unite the country and promote patriotism amongst Nigerians.
“Accordingly, the old National Anthem, as a symbol of national pride, has provided insights for patriotic reflections on our aspirations, values and hope for a united and prosperous Nigeria.
“Finally, I implore you all, my Distinguished Colleagues, to support the expeditious passage of this Bill, as it is in line with the RENEWED Reorientation of our collective values and national conscientization efforts of the current administration.
“The rendition and musical accuracy of the Anthem, is better in content and context than the current one. On this note, permit me at this juncture, to reproduce the Anthem to serve as a reminder and reflection:
“Nigeria, We Hail Thee
Nigeria we hail thee
Our own dear native land,
Though travelling 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 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.”
Supporting the bill, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (APC-Ondo) queried the current anthem saying that that the “language” of the anthem was “elusive”.
Quoting one of the stanza of the anthem which is “Arise oh compatriot”, Ibrahim said “what about non compatriots. How do we convert them to become compatriots.
“That is why I said this language is elusive. And it’s not good for any reason. The old anthem, Nigeria we hail thee, comes to the mind of Nigerians.
“We must thrive as a nation, as a Senate to rise above elusiveness of language. This current national anthem has not solved any problem.
“The only way to help our nation to grow is not to add to the complexity of argument around our nation”.
However, In the President of the Senate Godswill Akpabio remark, he committed the bill to the Senate Committees on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs to report back to the Senate as soon as possible.
