Breaking: Tinubu signs old National Anthem Bill into law
President Bola Tinubu has signed the National Anthem bill seeking to return the old national anthem ‘Nigeria, We hail thee’ into law.
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio announced this at the joint sitting of the Senate and House of Representatives on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu who addressed the lawmakers, said he will soon bring the 2024 Supplementary bill.
In his welcome address, the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio said the President only stopped over to greet the lawmakers since he came to Commission the National Assembly Library.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, apologized for the misinformation earlier passed on the visit of the President said it was a mistake on the part of the National Assembly and he apologized about it.
“The president has said that whatever speech we have to give should be shifted to June 12 which is democracy day, so to this effect the president will come flag off the recitation of the new National anthem after giving accent to it and will the after proceed to other important engagement.”
Gentechnews recalled that Nigeria We Hail Thee was the national anthem of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from independence in 1960 until 1978, when “Arise, O Compatriots” was adopted.
Who composed the old national anthem?
The lyrics to “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” were penned by Lillian Jean Williams, a British expatriate residing in Nigeria. The former national anthem received numerous criticisms, including the fact that its composer was not Nigerian.
What are the lyrics to Nigeria We Hail Thee?
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 honour’d,
And this we count as gain,
To hand on to our children
A banner without stain.
O God of all 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.