Full Stanza, Other Details You Should Know About Old National Anthem
- The full stanza of the old national anthem ‘Nigeria, We Hail Thee’ was composed for Nigeria at independence on October 1, 1960, has been published
- Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central), sponsored the national assembly bill, which received overwhelming support from the lawmakers
- The lawmakers argued that the current national anthem was a product of the military junta while the old national anthem was considered an independence anthem
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FCT, Abuja - The old anthem, ‘Nigeria, We Hail Thee’, composed when Nigeria gained independence on October 1, 1960, was replaced with the ‘Arise O’ Compatriots’ version in 1978.
The bill, sponsored by the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central), enjoyed overwhelming support from the lawmakers.
Source: Twitter
The Punch reported that lawmakers supported the bill because it would promote a better symbol for unity, peace, and prosperity than the current one.
Who composed the old national anthem?
The lawmakers noted that the current national anthem was a product of the military junta, decreed by the military, and should, therefore, give way to the independence anthem, which captures national values, ethics, and norms.
Lillian Jean Williams, a British citizen who lived in Nigeria before independence, wrote the lyrics for “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” and Frances Berda composed the music.
The anthem significantly shaped Nigeria’s national identity and unity during the 1960s and late 1970s.
The new national anthem
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.
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.
Tinubu signs old national anthem into law
Legit.ng earlier reported that President Tinubu has signed the bill returning Nigeria to the era of the national anthem composed by its colonial master.
The National Anthem bill passed by the National Assembly a few days ago reinstated the old national anthem first sung in 1960 during independence.
Godswill Akpabio, the president of the Senate, announced Tinubu's signing of the bill during a joint session on Wednesday, May 29.
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Source: Legit.ng
