From ‘Arise O Compatriots’ to ‘Nigeria, We Hail Thee’: Nigerians React
In a surprising move, President Bola Tinubu has signed the National Anthem Bill 2024 into law on Wednesday, sparking a flurry of reactions on social media.
Excel Magazine International reports that the Bill mandates a return to Nigeria’s old anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” which was sung at independence, replacing the current “Arise O Compatriots.”
The passage of the Bill through the Senate and the House of Representatives last week was notably swift, leading to criticisms from various quarters.
Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, voiced his objections, highlighting the lack of public consultation and the hasty legislative process.
Excel Magazine International, therefore, monitored Nigerians’ reactions on Facebook to capture the diverse opinions on this controversial decision.
Damisa Manji Nguyil commented, “The President should sing the Anthem first. Leadership should be by example,” reflecting a sentiment that leaders should personally embrace changes they enforce on the populace.
Joeldaism NW Shehu expressed broader concerns, stating, “Me thinks … so many things are misplaced in this country. These things encourage misbehaviour in our great nation…. such as corruption. This President knows exactly what is affecting the mentality of Nigerians and those are the things he is doing so as to reset our country. I believe he will change the constitution too after changing foundational structures.”
For Boy’d Samuel, the move was a distraction from pressing national issues. “This is diversionary from the present challenges facing the country. Mr President, instead of returning the old National Anthem, why not return our old standard of living during Obasanjo and Jonathan administrations? Please, take us back to our old ways of living,” he lamented.
Evelyn Israel’s frustration was evident in her brief but pointed remark: “Leaders wey no get head, how will they seek for our opinions.”
This sentiment of disconnected leadership was echoed by Gabriel Uluata, who speculated on the motivations behind the change. “I am sure our regular national anthem is giving our leaders sleepless nights due to its contents, that’s why they all hurriedly brought back the old anthem. Misplaced priority.”
Pst Gabriel Eke Peter suggested external influences might be at play, cryptically noting, “Those who owned Nigeria have visited and after the visitation, agreement has been reached to return their own anthem they composed.”
Isaac Momeh called for more profound political changes, stating, “A sign of backwardness we need to try another type of government to replace this democracy.”
Excel Magazine International observes that the decision to revert to “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” has undeniably struck a chord with the Nigerian public, revealing a spectrum of opinions from support to outright rejection.
