Nigerians have criticized lawmakers in the Senate and House of Representatives for their recent push to change the national anthem, describing it as a misplaced priority given the critical challenges facing the country and needing urgent intervention.
Many citizens took to social media to express their frustration, noting that the reforms initiated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration have inflicted economic hardship with no relief in sight.They also highlighted several other challenges needing solutions such as inflation, high cost of living among others, while stressing that a change in the National anthem does not have any impact on citizens lives.
On Thursday, the Senate passed for a second reading a Bill seeking to change the current National anthem titled “Arise O Compatriots ” to revert to the old national anthem “Nigeria, we Hail thee”.
The same Bill was passed at the House of Representatives on Thursday. It recieved accelerated passage at the lower house as it was read for the first, second and third time.
At the Senate, the legislation entitled “A Bill for an Act to provide for National Anthem , 2024” and sponsored by Bamidele Opeyemi, the Senate leader was read for the second time after lawmakers supported it during plenary.
Many lawmakers argued that the wordings of the old anthem was vague and does not evoke the desired emotion or reflect the aspirations of Nigerians. They also said the current bill will promote unity and progress of Nigeria.
Jimoh Ibrahim, the lawmaker representing Ondo south while supporting the Bill said “if Nigeria gets he National anthem right, we will get Nigeria right.”
Reacting, @donpanacio wrote on his X account, “I don’t think this is necessary at the moment! As a representative, your primary assignment is to bring dividends of democracy to your communities and constituency especially at this time Nigerians are feeling the temporary economic effects of good policy decisions by Pres Tinubu.
@Olabisilaw, “I tried to process the rationale behind this bill but couldn’t. Still a misplaced priority in my view.
Another neitizen @Salakobabaa wrote,
“The same people stall important bills. Lmao.”
@jagabanolu wrote “Senators woke up and decided the “national anthem” is our major problem? Very disappointed!Nigerians who they are supposed to represent did not get consulted and neither was there any outcry regarding the anthem! SENATORS LEAVE THE ANTHEM ALONE! Arise O Compatriots
Senators obey Nigerians not your interest!”
@Fulfude.tm wrote, “Most of them sitting in that National Assembly don’t know how to sing any of the two but they want to change rubbish and replace with nonsense. Misplaced priorities.”
@Okolistephen1z3, “Nonsense!
Is the national anthem the reason Nigeria isn’t progressing”
@SEgbeahie38044 wrore, “Nonsense
Make una come force us learn am na
Mumu people. More than 70% of Nigeria can’t feed very well because of food inflation na this nonsense senate dey reason. God go punish all of them.
We dey wait for all of them.”
@Okeykingsman wrote ”
Waoh, this is nice 👍🏻 because with this one ☝️ naira will be one dollar 💵 before next week.”
@BabaAlhaji wrote, “We’re fighting on how to bring three meals a day to the table you’re here saying out something which can’t be helpful to us. Allah he’i.”
@Walesale wrote, “Good wordings no doubt, but what Nigeria needs now is good economy, food on table of our people and peace and security in every part of the country 🙏.
@jayeogbajaye wrote,”The only issue I’m having is the fact that our lawmakers don’t know the next thing in action because I don’t believe this supposed to be the next thing we will be deliberating.”
@henryfrancis001 wrote, “They know what they are doing ? All these are delay tactics to keep the year running while they proceed with embezzlement, there are many important bills to pass, but they choose to change the national anthem that have no value to the economy or the poor masses.”
@David6843, “This is getting annoying. Is this our current problem now? Everything is damn expensive in the market now anthem?
“These Rep people are something else. Is the old national anthem the solution to the hardship in the country?”
@Bareadabayo write
Another neitizen @aanu adeoye wrote, “Just look at the speed at which Nigerian senators and MPs are seeking to change the national anthem. A change that literally no one asked for.”
Moreover, some Nigerians believe that the former national anthem was better off despite arguments put forward by lawmakers.
“Nigeria, We Hail Thee” was adopted as Nigeria’s first national anthem on October 1, 1960. The anthem’s lyrics were written by Lillian Jean Williams, a British expatriate who lived in Nigeria when it achieved independence. Frances Berda composed the music for “Nigeria, We Hail Thee.”
The former anthem was used from independence in 1960 until 1978 when the present anthem, “Arise, O Compatriots,” was adopted in 1978 to replace it.
