ICYMI: ‘Misplaced priority,’ Nigerians slam govt’s resolution to reinstate outdated nationwide anthem
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The resolution by the federal government to revert to the outdated nationwide anthem in Nigeria has sparked a variety of reactions amongst Nigerians.
President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, signed the National Anthem Bill 2024, in search of to reinstate the outdated anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” into legislation, shifting from the “Arise, O Compatriots.”
The “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” anthem was used from 1960, when Nigeria gained independence, till it was changed by “Arise, O Compatriots” in 1978.
PUNCH Online stories that reacting to the information of the reinstatement of the outdated nationwide anthem on X.com, a former Minister of Education, Mrs Obiageli Ezekwesili, stated she wouldn’t revert to the outdated nationwide anthem.
According to her, nobody can suppress her proper to dissent from what she described as an “obnoxious law” repugnant to all who’re of fine conscience in Nigeria.
Other Nigerians have additionally taken to social media to specific their displeasure with the brand new legislation.
One Abiola, who makes use of the deal with #AbiolaMaylaw on X.com, wrote, “What will this return to the old anthem do to Nigeria and Nigerians? Why are they quick to pass this bill into law?”
Another tweep, Lawrence Ohineme, who identifies as #LOhineme, commented, “It appears that this government wants to distract Nigerians from focusing on the hardship they are battling with by forcing us to learn an old national anthem. This is a misplacement of priorities.”
Similarly, #SamFomwul, who tweets anonymously, requested, “How is this supposed to improve the welfare of the masses? Na wa oh!”
Another X.com consumer, tweeting anonymously as #charlycity, wrote, “Nigerians never agreed to this; the Reps and senators never consulted with their constituencies before going ahead with this retrogressive and inconsequential bill.”
“Why go back to the old national anthem when we can ask our creative songwriters to give us something better than the existing old anthems?” Gbenga Akeju, tweeting as #GbengaSegu23029, requested.
Kingsley Ibietela, tweeting with the deal with #Iamkingsleyf, additionally requested, “Please, can you guys hurry like this and bring back the 1963 constitution?”
On Facebook, Adegboyega Adeyemi wrote, “This is nothing but a backward integration. When will Nigeria be free from colonial mentality? Here, we are sacrificing a homegrown national anthem for a colonially imposed national anthem.”
Nelson Oriarebun commented, “This particular move by this government simply tells you that they don’t have regard for the opinions of Nigerians on any issue, because based on popular opinion, changing the national anthem is not our priority for now, and it’s not the reason why Nigeria is not working.”
Olayemi Salami wrote, “I’m 42 years old now; it took me 40 years to learn our national anthem, and now you’re introducing a new one, which will take me another 40 years to learn. God will judge you people.”
Despite the multitude of knocks trailing the brand new legislation, one Simeon Simeon on Facebook had a distinct opinion as he supported the change, describing it as a optimistic transfer.
He wrote, “A welcomed development. I have always said if I were president, I would change the Arise o compatriots thing. Thank you, Mr. President for a clear vision.”
The PUNCH reported on Friday that many Nigerians on social media questioned the relevance of the transfer by the House of Representatives to revert to the outdated nationwide anthem, questioning if it could assist salvage the nation’s financial system, being Nigeria’s greatest problem in the meanwhile.
