National Anthem Composer, Benedict Odiase is dead

[Mirror]

The composer of Nigeria's   National Anthem, Pa Benedict Odiase died last night.

Pa Odiase composed  "Arise O Compatriots"  in May 1978.

He retired in 1992 as a Deputy Commissioner of Police after being the Director of Music with the Nigeria Police Band.

Last year he got a cheque of N150,000 from the Musical Copyright Society of Nigeria as royalty for using the composition as a ringtone.

National Mirror