OLD ANTHEM, NEW ANTHEM

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 creation, direct our noble cause

Guide our leader’s 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.

On Monday morning, May 20, 2024, every school child in Nigeria sang the current national anthem, "Arise, O Compatriots," to remind them that no matter how bad things are in the country, they are still and always will be Nigerians. The anthem was also meant to inspire patriotism in them, but it seems that has failed. Perhaps this is why there are plans to change it.

History of Nigeria’s National Anthem

Many youths today may not know this, but Nigeria has had two national anthems. The first is titled: “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” and the second is the one currently in use: “Arise, O Compatriots.” The first anthem was used from October 1, 1960, until 1978. It was composed by British lyricist Lillian Jean Willams, who lived in Nigeria when she got her independence. The second anthem, however, has a more interesting story. In 1978, to promote national ownership, a new national anthem was introduced. The anthem was adapted from a poem by five writers who had won a national contest and then adopted into a song by Benedict Odiase, a Nigerian policeman. Never fear, he had the musical qualifications to do this; he was the music director of the Nigerian Police Band and the Mid-West State Police Band.

Why is the National Anthem in the News?

On May 24, 2024, two days after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu stated this: "The anniversary is going to be low-key; there would be no major ceremony but a sectorial briefing by the ministers. The essence is to ensure that government funds are kept for the people." A bill to change the national anthem was passed after which it scaled through the first, second, and third readings at the same sitting. To put how fast this is into perspective, this writer personally visited the National Assembly website to check on some of the bills being sat on and was shocked to find out that the majority of bills being proposed since as far back as 2019 have only had a first reading sittings. Whether they passed or not is not clear; the website gives limited information, but I digress. The bill to change the national anthem passed so fast that I fear it may have broken some records in Nigeria.

This bill is being sponsored by House Leader Julius Ihonvbere (APC, Edo), and shockingly enough, he is a former chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), an organization that has threatened to embark on a strike some 10 days ago. House Leader Julius Ihonvbere seems to have no active relationship with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu except that they are in the same political party, so the option of him being a part of the president’s scheme from 2011 to change the National Anthem seems low. Nevertheless, it does beg the question of what inspired this bill. Could it be that Ihonvbere agrees with the president about our current anthem being, and I quote, “a drab replacement,” or that he, like many others, prefers that their anthem be musically pleasing rather than have a sense of nationalism? Or does he believe, and I quote, “that the old anthem encompasses, contains, and exudes the kind of energy, resourcefulness, and a sense of vision that I believe is good for Nigeria?” That is up for debate.

The bill has not been without its opposition and controversies, though. The Minority Leader, Kingsley Chanda, believes the old anthem to be a symbol of colonialism. Another questioned how the bill would help solve hunger and insecurity and asked that their time be used to think of something that would bring progress. 

The bill was brought to a controversial voice vote, where it was reported that there were more nays than ayes, and yet the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, listed it for consideration at the Committee of the Whole rather than referring the bill to a committee for a public hearing.

The bill has now passed through the second and third hearings with little opposition, and soon it will be sent to President Tinubu for assent if the law-making process is duly followed and the Clean Copy of the Bill does not get eaten by a bird or any other bizarre animal that seems to eat things in Nigeria.

Content of the Bill

Clause three of the bill makes it mandatory for the anthem to be recited at some of the following events:

-Opening and closing ceremonies of Federal Executive Council, and State Executives Council meetings.

-Opening and closing of sittings of Legislative Houses in Nigeria,

-Constitutional oath-swearing ceremonies,

-Flag-raising ceremonies,

-Major celebrations, major award ceremonies, major commemorative ceremonies, national memorial ceremonies and the like, which are organized by MDAs,

-Major diplomatic activities,

-Major sporting events,

-Other occasions as may from time to time, be determined by the minister responsible for education with the consent of the president.

Clause four forbids the alteration of the lyrics of the anthem.

The bill also ensures that the lyrics anthem be part of the civic education curriculum in primary and secondary education. Students, get ready to relearn your national anthem.

The bill is also proposing to make the second stanza of the current national anthem the national prayer.

The New/Old National Anthem

Nigeria we hail thee

Our dear native land

Though tribes and tongues may differ

In brotherhood, we stand

Nigerians all, are 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 shall be blessed.

Olajide Olamide