President Bola Tinubu has signed into law the National Anthem Bill passed by the National Assembly.
The bill reverts to Nigeria's old national anthem “Nigeria we hail thee.”
The old national anthem was abrogated by the military in 1978 and 46 years after, President Bola Tinubu signed the bill returning the anthem in place of the newer one “Arise oh compatriots.”
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio disclosed the Presidential assented to the anthem at a joint session of both chambers of the National Assembly to mark 25 years of unbroken democracy in the country.
Earlier, Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu enjoined lawmakers and visitors waiting for the arrival of President Bola Tinubu to download the old National Anthem that would now become Nigeria's national anthem.
National Anthem: Tinubu Signs Bill Returning Old Anthem Into Law(Check The Anthem Lyrics Here)
Recall that 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.
Following the signing of the bill by the President to reintroduce the old national anthem, the joint sitting jettisoned what has been in existence since 1978, to adopt the former (and newly signed) national anthem ‘Nigeria, we hail thee'.
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.
Check the lyrics below.
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.
