The decision by the government to revert to the old national anthem in Nigeria has sparked a range of reactions among Nigerians.
President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, signed the National Anthem Bill 2024, seeking to reinstate the old anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” into law, shifting from the “Arise, O Compatriots.”
The “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” anthem was used from 1960, when Nigeria gained independence, until it was replaced by “Arise, O Compatriots” in 1978.
National Daily reports that reacting to the news of the reinstatement of the old national anthem on X.com, a former Minister of Education, Mrs Obiageli Ezekwesili, said she would not revert to the old national anthem.
According to her, no one can suppress her right to dissent from what she described as an “obnoxious law” repugnant to all who are of good conscience in Nigeria.
Other Nigerians have also taken to social media to express their displeasure with the new law.
One Abiola, who uses the handle #AbiolaMaylaw on X.com, wrote, “What will this return to the old anthem do to Nigeria and Nigerians? Why are they quick to pass this bill into law?”
Another tweep, Lawrence Ohineme, who identifies as #LOhineme, commented, “It appears that this government wants to distract Nigerians from focusing on the hardship they are battling with by forcing us to learn an old national anthem. This is a misplacement of priorities.”
Similarly, #SamFomwul, who tweets anonymously, asked, “How is this supposed to improve the welfare of the masses? Na wa oh!”
Another X.com user, tweeting anonymously as #charlycity, wrote, “Nigerians never agreed to this; the Reps and senators never consulted with their constituencies before going ahead with this retrogressive and inconsequential bill.”
“Why go back to the old national anthem when we can ask our creative songwriters to give us something better than the existing old anthems?” Gbenga Akeju, tweeting as #GbengaSegu23029, asked.
Kingsley Ibietela, tweeting with the handle #Iamkingsleyf, also asked, “Please, can you guys hurry like this and bring back the 1963 constitution?”