President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday signed the National Anthem Bill 2024 into law.
The bill seeks to reinstate the old anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee”.
This was disclosed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, during the joint plenary that President Tinubu attended.
The assent to the passage of the bill will bring about a shift from the now-rested, “Arise O Compatriots”.
The bill was rapidly cleared by both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
We Hail Thee was the national anthem of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from independence in 1960 until 1978, when “Arise, O Compatriots” was adopted.
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The lyrics “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” was composed 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.
The lyrics to Nigeria We Hail Thee
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.
