ICYMI: Re-introducing previous nationwide anthem lengthy overdue, says Ozhekome
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A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mike Ozekhome, has backed the return to the previous nationwide anthem Wednesday.
PUNCH Online earlier reported that the National Anthem Bill was assented to at present marking a shift from the now ‘Arise O Compatriots’ to former ‘Nigeria We Hail Thee’.
He additionally referred to as on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to think about a complete rebranding of the nation by altering Nigeria’s title and nationwide flag.
His attraction comes alongside reward for the federal government’s determination to revert to the previous nationwide anthem, which he described as a big and constructive improvement.
This is as he famous {that a} return to the previous anthem was among the many issues that he proposed on the National Conference in 2014.
He stated, “I, as a humble and patriotic pan-Nigerian, I’ve all the time checked out these points from the Nigerian perspective – how we are able to make our nation higher than it’s now.
“Which was why Mr President, sir, way back to, Wednesday, July 2, 2014 – 10 years in the past – on the plenary session of the National Conference, I moved the movement for the change of our nationwide anthem again to the certainly one of 1960, on our independence
“That movement was hotly debated by the 492 delegates on the nationwide confab drawn from each spectrum of the Nigerian society and it was carried.
“And indeed nostalgically, the whole plenary session stood up and sang the old national anthem.”
Ozekhome, in a Wednesday viral video, stated the change was lengthy overdue.
“So, bringing it back is well overdue. It has better lyrics in context and content – like the Senate President said. It is better than the other one,” he added.
The lawyer famous that he wrote a e book which he submitted on the finish of the Confab the place he cited his arguments as the necessity for change.
He demanded that recognition and appreciation be given to the 492 delegates on the nationwide convention and its heads.
“Indeed I wrote a e book titled, ‘Nigeria We Hail Thee’ and it was 421 pages. It was launched at that National Conference simply earlier than it resulted in 2014.
“My arguments are on pages 268 to 271. So, it didn’t begin collectively. I believe that after we lastly get to Canaanland, this physique ought to give some recognition and appreciation to the National Conference of 2014 chaired by the late Justice Legbo Kutigi with Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi because the deputy.
“Let me additionally say that it was not the nationwide anthem alone that I stated needs to be introduced again. The different two issues I argue needs to be introduced again had been – the flag and nation title adjustments – the current inexperienced and white Nigerian flag is simply too bland.
“It’s not simply when it comes to missing in colors. It just isn’t inspirational – evaluate it to that of the US with its tribes and stars representing the fifty states.
“If you have a look at the flag of South Africa or the UK, you’ll see what I imply. The older flag has the rising solar within the centre which shoots to all of the instructions of Nigeria – North, South, East and West. Look on the Norfolk flag and the AU.
“At that convention, I additionally moved that we alter the title of Nigeria which seems to be a burden due to the circumstances it got here into being January 8, 1878, when Flora Shaw gave her the title ‘Nigeria’ named after ‘Niger Area’.
“Buy both my proposal for the flag change and the name Nigeria to Airegen (spelt backwards) but both were shut down and the one of the national anthem carried,” he added partly.
The readoption of the previous anthem has sparked considerations amongst Nigerians.
Former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, earlier on Wednesday, vowed to not revert to the previous anthem, PUNCH Online reported.
The “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” anthem was used from 1960 when Nigeria gained independence, till it was changed by “Arise, O Compatriots” in 1978.
Lilian Jean Williams wrote the lyrics for Nigeria’s earlier nationwide anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” in 1959, whereas Frances Berda composed the music for the anthem throughout the identical 12 months.
The anthem’s lyrics, written by Lilian Jean Williams in 1959, evoke a way of nationwide pleasure and unity.
Here is a step-by-step guide on learn how to learn the anthem.
