Mixed reactions have started pouring in on social media among Nigerians as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu changes the national anthem from “Arise O Compatriots” to the old one, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee.”
Today, May 29th, 2024, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed the bill to reinstate the old national anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” into law. This action marks one year since Tinubu officially began his presidency. Recall that during the 2023 presidential election, Tinubu of the APC emerged as the winner, with Atiku Abubakar of the PDP coming in second and Peter Obi of the Labour Party third.
The bill, which swiftly passed through both the Senate and the House of Representatives, aims to transition away from the current anthem, “Arise O Compatriots.” The final approval of the bill will officially change the national anthem back to the old version.
“Nigeria We Hail Thee” served as the national anthem of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from its independence in 1960 until 1978, when it was replaced by “Arise, O Compatriots.”
Who composed the old national anthem?
The lyrics to “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” were penned by Lillian Jean Williams, a British expatriate residing in Nigeria. The former national anthem received numerous criticisms, including the fact that its composer was not Nigerian.
Listen to the lyrics below (swipe to view)
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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.
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See reactions below;
brightidika: Hope this anthem will solve all of Nigeria’s problems ranging from insecurity, hypertension, unemployment, tribal and religious bigotries to high exchange rates, high interest rate, multiple taxation etc.
n6oflife: Congrats to everyone who supported and brought this APC calamity upon Nigerians. 😎🙄🤡.
funnyhypemanoflagos: Tinubu don’t know what to do on that seat 💺 His just doing rubbish.
anifowose_omolade_: NYSC BatchB 1 go too suffer for camp 😂😂 ordinary NYSC anthem some of us no still sabi ham after 21days not to talk of this one 😂😂💔.
stunch4_5: I no even sabi recite the arise o compatriots unah change am to Nigeria we hail Who we Dey hail?
whitneyoec88: He should better return Nigeria the way he met her!
michaelz_edwardz: My humble advice, make una just quick dey learn am. Dem fit use am for interview for civil service jobs or visa application. In that country, everything and anything is possible 😂.
emma_nuel227: In other words, the hardest question to ask now on interviews or even exams would be to recite the national anthem 😂😂😂😂😂.
