Some fundamental identities of any sovereign nation include her name, anthem, motto, map, flag, type of government/constitution, currency, culture and official language. However, it is an indisputable fact that Nigeria’s name, anthem, type of government/constitution and currency have turned into controversial subjects over the years.

The fact remains that there was no country called Nigeria, before January 8, 1897, when a young British correspondent, Miss Flora Louise Shaw (who later became Mrs. Flora Lugard and the first woman to play the role of Nigeria’s First Lady), coined the name in an article published by the London Times on January 8, 1897. After their invasion, the British established the nation’s first capital at Lokoja (capital of present – day Kogi State), which is around the bank of River Niger. Thus, the descriptive name of “Niger-Area” was earlier being used, until Flora Shaw came up with the idea of Nigeria.

In this vein, the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo opined that Nigeria is not a nation. According to him, “Nigeria is a mere geographical expression…” Going further, some scholars also posits that the amalgamation of both the Northern and Southern Protectorates of Nigeria, alongside with the Lagos Colony into a single political entity in 1914 was a contraption. Thus, leading to an endless agitation by some ethnic nationalities that have been clamouring for the dissolution/restructuring of Nigeria. Without doubt,this development is posing a big threat to the unity and sovereignty of Nigeria.

However, it is very pertinent to mention that following the acceptance and ratification of British’s claim of control over the “Niger-Area” (Nigeria) at the Berlin Conference of 1885, the Royal Niger Company transferred her administrative rights and power over all the territories of the present-day Nigeria, which was under its control to the British Crown for the sum of 865,000 pounds. Thus, the British monarchy turned Nigeria and her people into trade commodities. Furthermore, the Union Jack (British) flag was imposed on Nigeria, when it was first hoisted on 1st January 1900. Eventually, the flag was lowered for the Nigerian (green-white-green) flag on 1st October 1960, upon Nigeria’s attainment of political independence. In the same vein, the British anthem- “God Save the Queen” was also imposed on Nigeria between 1914 and 1960.

Thereafter, Nigeria adopted a new national anthem – “Nigeria,We Hail Thee”, which was in use from 1st October, 1960 to 1st October, 1978. Therefore, as a foreigner gave us the name – “Nigeria”, two other foreigners, Miss Lillian Jean Williams and Frances Berda (both Britons), also wrote and composed the independence anthem for Nigeria. Thus, the basic reason for the adoption of a new national anthem – “Arise O Compatriots” in 1978 was premised on the need to erase the colonial superiority complex, which was infused into the independence anthem, as Nigerians were referred to as “natives.” In essence, the use of the phrase “native land”, which is derogatory had to be changed to “our father land” in the 1978 version of the anthem, which was composed by Mr. Benedict Elide Odiase, who was then the Director of Music for the Nigeria Police band. It is therefore, very saddening as Nigeria’s “indigenously composed” anthem (1978 version) has now been aborted for a“colonial-composed” (independence anthem of 1960), which was earlier discarded 46 years ago. What a controversy?

Perhaps, the best thing to do at this stage of Nigeria’s political milestone would have been to recast a new anthem with some elements of both the 1960 and 1978 versions combined. For instance, there is no valid justification whatsoever, why stanzas 5 and 6 – “the labour of our heroes past, shall never be in vein” in particular, was also outrightlyexpunged and considered to be irrelevant to our national life today. Without doubt, these stanzas were meant to provide an insight for both the present and future generations, to visualise the enormity of the mental, physical, emotional and psychological sacrifices and torture suffered by Nigeria’s freedom fighters, who boldly fought the colonialists to a standstill, until they won and gave Nigeria the political sovereignty and freedom that we are all enjoying today. However, the fact remains that Abeokuta (the capital of Ogun State) was granted political independence by the British in 1893 (67 years ahead of Nigeria and 21 years before Nigeria’s amalgamation as a single nation in 1914).

The late Alhaji Babatunde Jose, then editor of the Daily Times captured the occasion of Nigeria’s independence, held at the Race-Course, Lagos as a special editorial in the Daily Times of 1st October 1960,thus: “…the Union Jack, symbolizing the imperial power of Britain was hauled down with the floodlights. And so, ended one hundred years of British rule in Nigeria. No rioting or bloodshed. And so, the independence of Nigeria was proclaimed. I have in sixty seconds to 12 midnight, watched the sun of British imperialism setting, and a new moon destined to radiate all over Africa and penetrate to other parts of the world. And I am happy. And I am sobbing. For I remember Nigerians who lived and died during the bloodies fight for Nigeria’s independence. Men like Herbert Macaulay, Sir Adeyemo Alakija, Dr. J.C. Vaughan, Chief Bode Thomas, Alhaji Adegoke Adelabu, Malam Saad Zungeru, and many others. They were not destined to see the promised land.

And at this moment, I remember the Nigerian youths, who were imprisoned for daring to attack British rule in Nigeria. Men like Anthony Enahoro, Osita Aguna, Mokwugo Okoye, Malam Raji Abdallah, A.Y.S. Tinubu, Fred Anyiam, Oged Macaulay, Ikenna Nzimiro, and many members of the out-lawed Zikist Movement. And I remember youths like R.A. Fani-Kayode(Qc), N.A.B. Kotoye, Fred McEwen, all of whom voluntarily trooped to the Lagos Prison in protest against the official celebration of the Queen of England’s coronation in Nigeria…”

From the above extracts, it is evidently clear that the recent abrogation of the National Anthem, of 1978 – “Arise O’ Compatriot…,” which emphasised that – “the labour of our heroes past, shall never be in vain…” is a great disservice to the history and political milestone of Nigeria, as well as the heroic struggles of our founding-fathers.

At this juncture, it becomes very pertinent to mention that as a mark of departure from the British-imposed anthem. But unlike the present situation, the late Rev. Oludotun Israel Ransome-Kuti (Fela’s dad and a renowned educationist), banned the use of the erstwhile so-called (Nigerian Anthem) – “God Save the Queen” at Abeokuta Grammar School, when he was the school principal (1932-50).Thus, he composed an indigenous music for Egba land (Abeokuta), titled – “L’oriOkeatiPetele…” (on a land, hilly and flat; that’s where I was born…), which eventually became the popular Egba Anthem till today. He went further to compose another song, titled – “IweKiko, LaisiOkoatiAda…” (extolling the importance of education and farming as the key to both personal and national greatness). This important and popular song is mostly sang in primary schools, across all Yoruba-speaking states in Nigeria till today; as a way of imbibing morality and the spirit of hardwork/patriotsm on the Yoruba people, right from their childhood.

Based on the above salient facts, it is therefore, very unfortunate that Nigeria is today, returned to the out-fashioned and earlier discarded anthem that was handed over to us by the British, upon the departure of Sir James Robertson (Nigeria’s eighth/last Governor-General), after our hard won independence in 1960. Therefore, I make bold to posit that the future of Nigeria is now greatly endangered as we are now becoming a nation without a link to her past, as it is unfortunately being witnessed. This pathetic situation needs urgent attention before it becomes too late to redeem.

Abdullahi is a concerned patriot and activist.