Jimisayo Opanuga
Nigeria has begun moves to revert to “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” as its national anthem after receiving approval in the Senate. The new anthem passed its first and second readings after most senators supported it when the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, put it to vote.
The lyrics read:
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 honoured,
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.
Here’s a breakdown of things to know about this anthem:
1. “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” served as the national anthem for 18 years, from independence in 1960 until 1978 when it was replaced with “Arise, O Compatriots.”
2. Before October 1, 1960, when Nigeria gained political independence, the British national anthem was usually used at festivals and official ceremonies.
3. The contents of that anthem prayed for the safety and protection of the British Queen, the late Queen Elizabeth, who was also the original head of the Nigerian government.
4. The lyrics to “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” were written by Lillian Jean Williams, a British expat living in Nigeria.
5. The old national anthem faced numerous criticisms, one of which was that its composer was not Nigerian.
The Daily Service, a newspaper run by a political organization, Egbé Ọmọ Odùduwà, launched a rebellious campaign against the national anthem, resulting in the establishment of a committee to collect signatures for a petition.
In 1978, a national contest resulted in a new anthem, “Arise, O Compatriots,” replacing “Nigeria, We Hail Thee.”
The House Leader, Professor Julius Ihonvbere, led the debate for a return to the old anthem by pointing out the need for Nigerians to see the anthem as a national symbol and sign of authority, one that does not deny the realities.
However, the Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, opposed the bill, saying the old anthem has a colonial tag, which was the reason for the new anthem.
