House of Representatives Passes Bill to Reinstate Old National Anthem

The House of Representatives on Thursday passed a bill to reinstate Nigeria’s old National Anthem, a move sponsored by the Majority Leader, Julius Ihonvbere.

Despite opposition from some lawmakers, the bill was debated for a second reading and quickly advanced to a third reading amid a rowdy session.

In parallel, the Nigerian Senate held a closed executive session on Thursday to deliberate on the potential change of the national anthem.

While the rationale behind this initiative has not been disclosed, the proposal has already sparked criticism from concerned Nigerians.

The old National Anthem was used from Nigeria’s independence in 1960 until 1978, when the current anthem, “Arise, O Compatriots,” was adopted.

Lyrics of the Old National Anthem:

Nigeria we hail thee
Our own dear native land
Though tribes and tongue may differ
In brotherhood we stand
Nigerians all, are 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.

The bill’s passage in the House and the Senate’s ongoing deliberations underscore a significant potential shift in a national symbol that has been in place for over four decades.