JUST IN: House of Reps passes bill to revert to old national anthem

By Biola Adebayo On May 23, 2024

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The House of Representatives has passed a bill to revert to the old national anthem “Nigeria, We Hail Thee”.

The bill was quickly passed through first second and third reading within minutes.

The lead debate for a return to the old anthem by the House Leader, Professor Julius Ihonvbere, pointed to the need for Nigerians to see the anthem as a national symbol and sign of authority, one which does not deny the realities.

The old anthem “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” was replaced with the current one “Arise, O Compatriots in 1978.

The Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, however, opposed the bill, saying the old anthem has a colonial tag which was the reason for the new anthem.

He highlighted that the old anthem was authored and composed by Britons. Mr Chinda questioned the importance of the anthem change at a time of more important challenges in the country.

However, the bill was given expedited passage and subsequently passed by the lawmakers.