Outrage as Nigeria Changes National Anthem
Many Nigerians are expressing outrage after the government changed the national anthem with minimal consultation.
President Bola Tinubu signed a bill on Wednesday to revert to the old national anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” which was dropped by a military government in 1978. The anthem was written by Lillian Jean Williams in 1959 and composed by Frances Berda.
In his first anniversary speech, President Tinubu stated that the anthem symbolizes Nigeria’s diversity. However, critics argue that the decision is ill-timed, given the country’s current challenges, including a cost-of-living crisis, insecurity, and rising inflation.
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Online reactions were swift and critical. User @Gospel_rxx commented, “A new national anthem is the priority for Tinubu & Co at a time like this, When our people can’t eat, insecurity is rife & life is hell? What a sordid joke!! Let’s see how they implement it…”
Fola Folayan, another user, criticized the parliament for rushing the bill, saying, “Changing the Nigerian national anthem written by a Nigerian, to the song written by colonizers is a stupid decision and it’s shameful that nobody in the National Assembly thought to stand against it.”
Former Education Minister Oby Ezekwesili declared on X that she would continue to sing the previous anthem, “Arise O Compatriots,” which has been in use for 46 years.
Amid the social media debate, former presidential aide Bashir Ahmad posed a provocative question: “After the change of our national anthem, some people are now calling for the name Nigeria and the national flag to be changed as well. What do you think? Should we keep the name Nigeria?”
Tahir Mongunu, chairman of the parliamentary committee behind the bill, defended the change as “apt, timely and important,” arguing that it would inspire patriotism and promote cultural heritage. Kano resident Habu Shamsu supported the change, telling the BBC, “I think it more encompassing and I like the way it flows.”
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