A bill seeking to revert to the old Nigerian National Anthem has passed a second reading at the Senate.
The bill seeks to replace the current National Anthem with the former one, which was adopted on Independence Day on 1 October 1960 but was dropped in 1978 by the then-military administration of Olusegun Obasanjo.
It was first read during the plenary on Thursday and passed for first and second readings after most senators supported it when the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, put it to vote.
The senate president thereafter referred it to the Committees on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters and Internal Affairs for further legislative action and report back as soon as possible.
Nigeria, We Hail Thee” was adopted as the country’s first national anthem upon gaining independence from Britain in 1960.
Lillian Jean Williams, a British expatriate who lived in Nigeria when it achieved independence, wrote the anthem’s lyrics while Frances Berda composed the music.
Lead Debate
The Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, led the debate on the bill.
Mr Bamidele said the old anthem contributed immensely to the national identity and unity of Nigerians than the existing anthem.
“The anthem, upon rendition, inspired and stimulated a deep sense of patriotism in Nigerians. You will also agree with me that those who were around in the 60s and the late 70s would attest to the fact that the anthem played quite a significant and crucial role in shaping Nigeria’s national identity and unity, as well as engendered a high sense of value and personal belonging amongst the citizenry.
“It was symbolic of Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage and nationhood. In retrospect, the anthem served as a regular and constant reminder of our journey as a nation and provoked feelings of nostalgia and fond memories of the country’s early years,” he added.