Politics
House Passes Bill to Reintroduce Nigeria’s Old National Anthem
A bill advocating for the reintroduction of Nigeria‘s old national anthem, ‘Nigeria, We Hail Thee‘ has successfully passed its second reading at the House of Representatives.
If the bill becomes law, the current national anthem, ‘Arise, O Compatriots‘, will be replaced by the old anthem that was used from 1960 to 1978.
Despite debates on the colonial undertones of the old anthem, supporters believe that reinstating it will contribute to national peace and unity in the country.
Originally penned by Lillian Jean William in 1959, ‘Nigeria, We Hail Thee’ had been a patriotic symbol until it was substituted with ‘Arise, O Compatriots’ in 1978.
The swift passage of the bill through the National Assembly showcases the readiness of lawmakers to promote national harmony through cultural heritage and symbolism.
