“Nigeria’s National Anthem: Old or New; The lyrics Are What is Requisite…” – Ogbe, Patrick Adaofuoyi

It is no longer news, that Nigeria-as an independent, sovereign nation, has changed its National Anthem, not so long ago. May, 2024, is the month and year that Nigerian citizens received a second “bureaucratic jolt” in the young administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu {GCFR}. The first “bureaucratic jolt” that Nigerian citizens received during the incumbent government’s administration, was at the inception of Tinubu’s formal swearing in as Nigeria’s fifth, democratically elected president, {in post military rule-era in Nigeria}, on May 29th, 2023. Then, at his swearing in, at the popular eagle square in Abuja, Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu stated that, “….Fuel Subsidy is gone….”.

This statement meant that the federal government of Nigeria, was not going to continue with the paying of subsidies on petroleum products, as it was doing in previous administrations,
Then, approximately one year after these red-letter-words from the incumbent president of the nation; on May 29th, 2024, when the president of the nation was commemorating his one year anniversary in office; the President signed the Nigerian National Anthem Bill into law, and by so doing, gave formal and official approval for the discarding of the nation’s national anthem that has been in use for decades, and approving the old one for official use in Nigeria, instead.

In contemporary times, just like national emblems, virtually all the independent nations that exist-and abound- across the globe, have their individual anthems, that in words and lyrics, {as well as in musical renditions}, are different from each other. Just as, all the nations that are in existent today, world-wide, have different flags, varied coats of arms, emblems, and a potpourri of different currency notes that constitute the national legal tenders of the nations of the world.

Nigeria-like all other independent and sovereign countries among the committees of nations, has its own unique, national anthem and national emblems, or rather national symbols. Nigeria’s first and initial national anthem was composed, and adopted for official use, at the point in time when Nigeria procured her independence from her colonial masters, Great Britain, in the year, 1960. {October 1st of that year to be precise}.

Then, Nigeria’s national anthem was composed by a British woman/expatriate, with the name, Ms. Lillian Jean William. The words, or rather lyric{s} of this said Nigerian, first post-independence anthem, in 1960 are thus:
“Nigeria, we hail thee, Our own dear native land, Though tribe and tongue may differ, In brotherhood we stand, Nigerians all and Proud to Serve, Our sovereign motherland. / Our Flag shall be a symbol, That truth and justice reign, In peace or battle honor, And this we count as gain, To pass unto our children, A banner without stain. / Oh God of Creation, Grant this our one request, Help us to build a Nation, Where no man is Oppressed, And so with peace and plenty, Nigeria may be blessed…”
This Nigeria’s first anthem, was in use for 18 years, from 1960 to 1978. Then in the year, 1978, it must be that, Nigeria, in a bid to “wean” itself from the “apron strings” of British colonial rule and dominion, decided to adopt a national anthem that is indigenous, composed by a Nigerian citizen, and which had lyrics-or words-that are reflective of nascent events in the nation. In response to these said aspirations of Nigerians, pertaining a national anthem that would be composed by a Nigerian, Nigeria’s {now erstwhile} anthem, came into existence, in 1978,

In words and structure, the lyrics of Nigeria’s second {and now discarded anthem} are thus:
“Arise O compatriots, Nigeria’s call obey, To serve our Fatherland, With love and strength and faith, The labor of our heroes past shall never be in vain, To serve with heart and might, One nation bound in freedom, peace and unity. / O God of creation, Direct our noble cause, Guide our leaders right, Help our youths the truth to know, In love and Honesty to grow, And living just and true, Great lofty height attain, To build a nation, where peace and justice reign…”

This said second, and now put-aside, national anthem of Nigeria, was composed by late Deputy Commissioner of Police, Benedict Odiase {MON}, and was adopted in 1978, during the military administration of General Murtala Muhammed/General Olusegun Obasanjo and Shehu Yaradua. This said anthem, was officially in use for nearly 46 years by Nigeria-and its citizens, both at home and in the Diaspora, till May, 2024.

It was in the said month of May, 2024, that Nigeria’s tenth national assembly, commenced the formal process of reverting the nation to the old national anthem, which began with the words, “ Nigeria, We Hail Thee…” The bill, spear-headed in the House of representatives, by the majority leader of the house of representatives, Professor Julius Ihonvere, got accelerated readings, and passages, the mandated three times, and then it was taken to the Senate. The Nigerian tenth senate, incidentally, granted the said bill, accelerated readings, as well as easy passage in the red-colored-seats chambers, and all that remained was for the president of the nation to grant Presidential accent, by signing the said bill into law. The awaited signature of the president of the federation, took place on the 29th of May, 2024, and as is often said, “all is now history”… The Nigerian national Anthem which begins with the words, “Arise O Compatriots….” has now become “history”, in the secular affairs of Nigeria.

Now, the ordinary citizen in this nation, may act-lackadaisically- and state that the national anthem of the country, whether old or new, doesn’t concern, or affect them in any way. As a matter of fact, there are multitudes of Nigerian citizens, both at home, and in the diaspora, that don’t even know that the National Anthem of the country, has been changed. The ordinary citizen in this country may state that what matters to them, is food on their table, a place of abode-to reside, or live in, and clothes to wear, and nothing more. However, whether we want to come to terms with the truth, or not; the structure, words and lyrics, as well as composition of our national anthem, at every point in time, matters a lot in our individual lives-as well as life-styles, as citizens of this great nation, Nigeria.

The national anthem {and or national Pledge} of any nation, is reflective of the independence, sovereignty and territorial freedom which a{ny} nation enjoys, at any point in time. Also, the anthem of any nation, reveals easily, the core, social values of any nation, and gives tell-tale signs as to the virtues, ideals and aspirations which every nation seeks, and desires for its citizens to strive for, and attain. An in-depth study of the words of any nation’s national anthem, will reveal –to all and sundry-the national values, ethics, and behavioral etiquettes which a nation holds dear to heart.

Reflect, momentarily, on these realities and scenarios in our country, and out-side our country, Nigeria. In nursery, primary and secondary schools scattered all across the country, and indeed in schools the world over; when school children-or students-gather at school premises, at assembly{ies}; the lyrics of each nation’s national anthem is sung, or recited, before the business of school-related-issues, commences. Also, whenever the national foot-ball teams of the nations of the whole wide world, male and female, senior or junior, are privileged to play any international foot-ball match with any other nation’s national foot-ball team; the national anthems of the nations of the world, are musically rendered to multitude of fans, and spectators in stadiums, and at popular sporting venues, before the commencement of such foot-ball matches. It’s the age-old practice, in the whole-wide-world, at sporting events, and sporting festivals which take place intermittently, globally.

Consider, also, the truth that at Olympic games, as well as at the popular Commonwealth games, and at international sports events; whenever any athlete, or sports man or sports woman, is privileged to win a gold medal; {as many Nigerian athletes have} , as a mark of according the said lucky athlete, respect, honor and prestige; the national anthem of the nation of origin of such a gold medalist, is played –with concomitant applause, loud ovations, and cheers from spectators conglomerated at the venue of the sports events. This being the case-and this, being the irrefutable practice in the whole wide world; the issue-or rather matter- of the national anthem which a{ny} nation adopts, and adapts, and holds dear to heart, at any point in time, should be a national issue, that should not be trivialized.

The national anthem of any nation, is the official, patriotic song of a nation. National anthems are intended to stir a sense of patriotism and loyalty among citizens of a country. They are performed at official and ceremonial public occasions, international gatherings, and athletic events. Anthems are also played at important occasions to honor a head of state.

Most national anthems are composed as marches, hymns, lyrical praise music, or poetic odes, in praises of a particular prominent person, hero or monarch, {For example, in Great Britain, long, long time ago, the wordings and lyrics of that nation’s national anthem, made profuse references to the then reigning {female monarch} with the nation’s national anthem, having the title: “God Save The Queen…” In instances when the monarch ruling in Britain, was a man, or male; the national anthem of Great Britain, became: “God Save The King…”

The lyrics-or wordings of most existent national anthems of the nations of the whole wide world, commemorate the ideals of such a nation. Lyrics of most nations’ national anthems, also, at times, celebrate a country’s natural beauty, or they honor a national, popular hero, or legend that is indigenous to such a country. Also, the words-or rather lyrics-of a nation’s national anthem, sometimes reflect a nations’ national crisis-in the history of such a nation- {and verbal, worded recommendations, as to how to avert the future re-occurrence of such an un-fortunate crisis}. Then also, the words of many national anthems high-lights on certain important events in a country’s history.

A national anthem, is also the official song of a country, as used on state occasions and ceremonies. It is generally a song that praises a country, and the institutions, the peculiar achievements of some of the citizens of such a nation, and also tells of how the rights and freedoms of the citizens of such a country, should be up-held, in opposition to people who desire to oppress citizens of such a country. The words of some nation’s national anthems, expresses the hope-or prayer that the state-or rather, the nation {in concern}, should continue, to exist forever, in peace, harmony, brotherly love and prosperity, under God’s universal guidance, and guardiancy. The idea of an official national anthem-for all the nations, scattered across the globe, dates back as far back as 1825.
As way of concluding, now that Nigeria’s 10th Assembly has facilitated the reverting of its citizens to the old anthem, which was composed by a British lady, Lillian Jean William, one would dare to comically say: “nothing spoil…”

However, as a concerned citizen of this great nation Nigeria, that has genuine affection for this country, and wishes for things to be well in the country; I’ll desire for us all that are citizens of this great country-both at home and abroad-to meditatively reflect on the words of our now official national anthem. In the first stanza of the now official Nigerian anthem; a sentence there-in states: “…Though Tribe and Tongues May Differ, In Brotherhood We Stand…” These said words are symbiotic of living together in peace and harmony, {as Nigerians}, irrespective of our differences in tribe, places of origin, religion, political affiliations, and professions, etcetera. This has not been the case in modern day Nigeria however.

The Nigerian civil war of 1967, to early 1970; the civil fracas in Kano state in 1991-which had a religious undertone; the civil strife, leading to wanton destruction of human lives and valuable properties in Kaduna in year 2000/2001; the interjected and occasional mayhems, tainted with violence, and bloodshed-in the once tranquil city of Jos and its environs-in 2005, and then again in November 2008, and many other instances of disheartening conflicts, and ethnic squabbles in Nigeria: All these unpleasant incidences, buttresses the fact, glaringly, to our own chagrin, that we all Nigerians, have not been “standing together in brotherhood, even though our tribes and tongues, differ…”
Then again, in the third stanza, of what is now Nigeria’s official anthem, some words there states: “ Oh God of All Creation, Grant This Our One Request, Help us to Build a Nation, Where no Man is Oppressed….” In Nigeria today, too many un-wholesome, un-just acts, and misdeeds, and dastardly activities are on-going in present-day Nigeria, such that, we all do not require a prophet to tell us that, un-countable numbers of citizens in Nigeria, presently, are citizens that are been oppressed in their own biological Nation, and Fatherland.

Nigeria’s tenth national assembly, as seeing it as befitting for the country, has facilitated the change of the nation’s erstwhile anthem. “All well and fine…” However, in my own candid opinion, I am of the mind-set that, whether it is Nigeria’s first anthem, or the second one that is now adopted for official use; the words and lyrics of our nation’s anthem, should influence our acts, actions, and social behaviors. For instance, what is the benefit of tens of millions of Nigerians, both at home, and in the diaspora, singing a composed, official national anthem, when our individual actions and behaviours, are contrary to the words, and or lyrics of such an anthem. (Q.E.D.)

Name: Ogbe, Patrick Adaofuoyi.
e-mail: patrickadaofuoyi@yahoo.com
Phone no: 08050324046.