News

Reps Hurriedly Pass Bill To Revert To Old National Anthem ‘Nigeria, We Hail Thee’

Published

4 months ago

May 23, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

…as Minority Leader say old anthem will mean a return to colonialism

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives on Thursday at plenary hurriedly passed a bill to revert to the old national anthem ‘Nigeria, We Hail Thee’ and get rid of the present one, ‘Arise O’ Compatriots.

Naijablitznews.com reports that the New national anthem came into existence in 1978 while the old came into existence in 1960.

Despite the rejection by majority of the lawmakers who voted against bill, the presiding officer, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Okezie Kalu, ruled in favour of its passage.

The lawmakers thereafter staged a walkout as a sign of their grievances. Naijablitznews.com heard some say “enough is enough, we can’t continue like this”.

The bill which was sponsored by the House Leader, Rep. Julius Ihonvbere, swiftly passed through first, second reading, considered and approved at the Committee of the Whole and passed for third reading at plenary within one hour of its introduction on the floor of the House.

The legislation is titled, “Bill For An Act to Provide for the National Anthem of Nigeria, and for Matters Related Thereto.”

The bill stipulated that on the date of commencement of the Bill, the national anthem of the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” which is prescribed in the Schedule to the proposed legislation.

According to the bill, the national anthem of the Federal Republic of Nigeria shal be a national symbol and sign of authority, and all persons, individuals or corporate entities, shall respect the national anthem and preserve the dignity of the national anthem.

The proposed legislation provided that the national anthem shall be performed and sung on occasions such as: opening and closing ceremonies of Federal Executive Council, and State Executives Council meetings, opening and closing of sittings of Legislative Houses in Nigeria and Constitutional oath-swearing ceremonies.

Others are: “Major celebrations, major award ceremonies, major commemorative ceremonies, national memorial ceremonies and the like, which are organised by MDAs, major diplomatic activities, major sporting events, other occasions as may from time to time, be determined by the minister responsible for education with the consent of the President.”

It also stated that the performance and singing of the national anthem shall follow the lyrics prescribed by the Federal Government of Nigeria.

“The new law prescribed that when the national anthem is performed and sung “-(a) those present shall stand and deport respectfully, and

(b) at flag-raising ceremonies, those present shall face the flag, and uniformed military personnel, Police and other Security personnel are to give a hand salute, and other persons are to look on in respect.

“The Ministry responsible for information shall organize the review and approval of the standard for performance of the national anthem, and record the official recording of the national anthem to be played. The standard and official recorded versions of the national anthem shall be published on the Federal Government of Nigeria’s website.

“Primary and Secondary schools shall make the lyrics of the national anthem part of the civic education and organise pupils and students to learn the national anthem.The second stanza of the former national anthem shall be the national prayer,” the bill reads further.

Debating the bill, Rep. Ihonbvere said Nigeria is at the stage of redesigning the way forward.

According to him, the old Anthem, encompasses, contains, exudes the kind of energy, resourcefulness and a sense of vision that he believe is good for Nigeria.

“Mr Speaker the old Anthem not only begins by telling us of the pride to serve our nation which is what is required right now when people are “Japa-ing” left, right and centre. But it goes on to assert the sovereignty of our motherland.

“Mr Speaker a time comes in the life of every organisation or a nation when the people must sit down look at the past , the present, the future and have the courage, the sense of mission and the sense of nation to define, design the way forward. I believe that Nigeria is at that stage and momentum.

“Mr Speaker, this bill is straightforward. It is a bill that seeks to enjoin us to at our Anthem as a national symbol and sign if authority. One that will pull us together, will give us hope and courage, a sense of duty to the nation. That does not necessarily deny the reality and that is the main of contemporary societies. They deny reality, they pretend racism doesn’t exist, ethnicity doesn’t exist, poverty doesn’t exist. They rationalise this by looking at GMP, GDP and the reality stares people in the face and that is when you are faced with the realities then you can attack and deal with it frontally.

“So it seeks to say that as a people as Nigerians fronti g a new renewed hope moving forward, tackling the rot decay, dislocation and distortion of the past. We should go back to our old national anthem which gives us that energy, that sense of commitment, sense of dedication and a desire to to.move Nigeria forward.

“I have taken time to look at the old Anthem, the old and the new, and as a Nigerian who have been involved in the struggle to make Nigeria a better place either as a student to the student union movement including the “Ali must go” movement or as a University teacher having been Secretary, vice chairman and chairman of ASUU or as a pro democracy activity who spent twelve and a half years in self exile”, Rep. Ihonbvere asserted.

But the House Minority Leader, Rep. Kingsley Chinda believes that reverting to the old Anthem would mean going g back to colonialism, which in the first place was the reason for the old national anthem that was written by the colonial masters.

He stated that whilst it is their function to make laws for the good governance of Nigeria but then for every law, there must be a clear purpose, a clear vision a clear spirit behind the law.

The Minority Leader said: “Now if we ask ourselves one question, what is the essence of a national anthem? I will say, just like other national symbols, the national anthen represents the tradition, the history, the beliefs of a nation and its people. Hence it helps evoke feelings if patriotism amongst citizenry and reminds them of their nation’s glory, beauty and rich heritage.

“So the question I will want to ask is what does this old national anthem reminds us of? What is the history behind the old national anthem that our brother, Honourable professor is asking us to adopt?

“History dates back to colonialism and why did we go for a new national anthem? It is because we wanted to lose ourselves from that colonial tie and so the country set up a committee to look at the National anthen and a new national anthem amongst competitors which filed in their suggestions, five of them were picked and put together and that gave us the national anthem that we have today. Made by Nigerians, composed by Nigerians and proper Nigerian national anthem.

Chinda went back to history to educate the parliament on the history of the Old national anthem.

“Let me also remind us that the old national anthem was authority by Lilian Jean Williams and composed by Francis Banda bother of them Britton. And after independence we tried as much as possible to Nigerianise our actions.

“So sir, today we are taking ourselves back to that old National Anthem. Incidentally I will even ask again. Is this very important at the particular juncture in our national life? What value will it add to us as a nation? I think that these questions need to be answered. Nigerians looking up to us for more fundamental issues that will cause proper change.

“Like Prof took us to history lane that great men make history. What isbthe history that we are about to make? History that will change this country or history that will take us backwards. There are several questions that are left unanswered.

“So I will stand this morning or this afternoon as a Nigerian to say NO to this act. I stand to oppose it and I pray that we look atvit critically and urge the sponsor, the House Leader to withdraw this bill and perhaps take a second look at it and represent same if necessary” Rep Chinda stated.

Rep. Ahmed Satomi, who also spoke again the bill as he believes that at this time of our nation we should be talking Information Technology and not national anthem, as he said Nigerians are looking up to the parliament.

“Nigerians are looking up to us regarding this bill because many of us in our early 40s don’t know this national anthem. I don’t know how this bill on the national anthem will affect the common man. Let’s be realistic how this will help the government to stop hunger, banditry, or improve security. Let’s do what is beneficial to the common man and this Honourable chamber is the only for now standing forbthe common man of Nigeria.

“So Nigerians are looking up to us, I concur with the Minority Leader. Let’s look at something that will bring a development in the eyes of the international communities to Nigeria.

“People are discussing Nano Technology, Internet and we are still discussing national anthem”, Reps Satomi asserted.

But Rep. Ahmed Jaha is of the opinion that Nigerians are not happy with the happening and therefore there is need reverting to the old national anthem as the current anthem is not yielding positive results.

According to Jaha, you don’t need a soothsayer to tell you that people are not happy on their faces.

He said: “It has been accepted widely and scientifically proven that if you keep doing one thing without results, it is an indication of lunacy and it may not lead to success. We are all aware that the national anthem we have been singing is not what what we have been practicing as Nigerians.

We say arise, O compatriots! Are we patriots? Who are the compatriots? Do we normally place our national interests above our individual interests?

“Secondly, to serve our fatherland with love, strength and faith. None of these is happening. There is no love in the services that we have been providing because it is personal interest first before national interest . That is why people are even leaving the country to go and show love to other countries of the world. To show their strength, their intellectual capacity, educational pedigree. How many Nigerians have faith in the country? Most Nigerians have lost confidence, faith in the country.

“Thirdly, the labour of our heroes past shall not be in vain. Are they not in vain? My father is a retired Nigerian army officer. His pension has not been paid promptly. And you are here telling people that their own effort, sacrifices should be taken into cognizance . Just payment of pension, we have not been doing that.

“Section 5 of the Contributory Pension Act is clear. That there must be group insurance cover for each and every employee of Nigeria and it must three times the total annual emolument of that employee. How many civil servants benefit from this immediately their death or permanent disability?”, he stated.she

After the debate the Deputy Speaker put it to a vote and ruled in favour of the Bill, passing it for second reading and the House immediately considered the bill in the committee of the whole and returned back to plenary and the bill passed for third reading.

News

Idinye Slams Intimidation Of PDP Leaders As Edo Prepares For Guber Poll

Published

23 mins ago

September 19, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

A two time gubernatorial apsirant in Edo state and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) High Chief Jacob Idinye has strongly condemned the clampdown on the leaders of his party (PDP) as the state prepares for guber election on Saturday, September 21, 2024 which is less than 48 hours.

High Chief Idinye on Tuesday, September 19, 2024 made the remark at the Benin airport in a chat with some journalists, urging the security agencies to halt the indiscriminate arrest and allow peace to reign and make the election to be free, fair, transparent and credible.

He noted that no amount of intimidation, arrest, victimization and harassment would make the APC win the governorship election, stressing that the candidate of the PDP, Asue Ighodalo is the best man for the Edo State top job.

The PDP chieftain added that the unlawful arrest was the handiwork of the All Progressives Congress even as he called on the heads of the Military, NSCDC, Police and DSS to be neutral, unbiased and act within the ambit of the law.

He said, “Many PDP leaders, including the Chairman of Esan West Local Government Area, Collins Aigbogun, were being kept in dungeons on the orders of the APC. Similarly on Thursday, in Etsako East Local Government Secretariat of our State, men of the DSS invaded the facility and made arrest of high profile members of our party. As I speak to you youths from the Etsako East are on rampage over the intimidation and harramennt meted on Engr D Dee ilugbekhai and many others.

“We also have on record from the PDP situation room that APC Branch of the Nigerian Police have arrested another popular politician simply known as O3 in Okpella.

“I also heard from good authority that angry protesters besieged the Palace of the Okumagbe of Uwanno Kingdom in Estako Local Government Area of Edo State, demanding the immediate release of PDP leaders who were arrested across the council area. The Chairman of Etsako local Government Area, Princess Benedicta Attoh, who also reacted to the incident, called on the Inspector-General of Police, the Chief of Defence Staff and other security agencies to abide by their promises of remaining neutral in the Edo Governorship election. She expressed worry over the arrest of PDP leaders across the council area. This is a serious matter and we expect APC to protect our democracy not tearing it apart”

He continued, “Let the APC explain to us where our members and leaders are being taken to. They should also explain to the world why they not been charged in court since their arrest? Instead, the APC has been boasting of their plans to attack, intimidate, and harass PDP members and supporters.” Idinye demanded.

Idinye however called on the President of Nigeria to nip the ugly development in the bud to allow peace to triumph:

“It is our expectation that President Bola Tinubu will immediately order DSS personnel out of the Council headquarters to avoid the destruction of life and property in Etsako East Local Government, we dont want a situation where people will be forced to resort to self-defence by defending their fundamental human rights to vote in the Edo State Governorship election. We are known to be law abiding, therefore the government of the day must create an enabling environment to sustain that excellent virtues that our people are known for.

“Members of the APC are obviously intimated by the 8 years of excellent works of Governor Godwin Obaseki. We can all see the progress he made in infrastructure, human capital development, security, education of our children and his hands can also be felt in his technology-driven operations within the state’s civil service. Edo State public and civil service is number one in Nigeria. Obaseki has done well and I urge voters to make the right decision in the Saturday election to maintain this momentum and vote PDP.

“Electing leaders who lack experience and ideas could be disastrous for Edo state. Our candidate, Asue Ighodalo is a capable leader, who would continue Obaseki’s work, I appeal to voters to defend their votes to ensure Edo’s continued development. Asue Ighodalo is the best man for the job and by God’s grace he will record a landslide victory to the shame of opposition especially APC and LP.”

News

FRSC expresses worry over fatal crashes

Published

5 hours ago

September 19, 2024

Austin Ojomah

*** Orders strict traffic law enforcement

By Francesca Hangeior.

The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Shehu Mohammed, on Thursday, lamented the spate of fatal road crashes in September.

He specifically raised concerns about the accidents that occurred on September 8 in Niger, September 12 in Sabon Wuse, and September 15 in Kaduna State.

These three incidents, according to him, resulted in the tragic loss of at least 91 lives.
Speaking during a meeting with fleet operators and other stakeholders in Abuja, Mohammed expressed frustration that despite the government’s efforts to provide and maintain transport facilities according to global standards, many drivers continue to undermine these efforts with reckless behaviour on the roads.

He said, “While the Government continues to do its best to provide and maintain transport facilities in accordance with global best practices, some road users, especially drivers, have continued to make a mockery of this concerted effort by exhibiting a high level of recklessness on the roads.

” In the last month or thereabout, the Corps witnessed 3 landmark crashes that were caused by negligence, fatigue, speeding, night trips and dangerous driving. These three landmark crashes include that of Niger State which occurred on 8 September 2024 and killed 48 people, that of 12 September 2024 which killed 18 people in Sabon Wuse and that of 15 September 2024 which happened in Kaduna State leading to the death of 25 people.

“These 3 crashes alone, which proved to have been obviously avoidable, claimed the lives of 91 people. This is alarming and it calls for concern.”

Mohammed ordered commanding officers to ensure round-the-clock enforcement of traffic laws.

He also disclosed that a special operation would be conducted to checkmate the incessant accidents recorded across the country.

Mohammed said, “I am compelled to state that the spate of the crashes recently recorded is, however, very disturbing and every step must be taken to avert continued future occurrences. It is against this backdrop that I have directed Commanding Officers to ensure round-the-clock enforcement of traffic offences to mitigate these excesses. A special patrol operation will be instituted and enforcement will be carried out nationwide.”

Speaking, the President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers of Nigeria, Abubakar Shettima, dismissed the allegations linking the group to some of the accidents in the country.

He said, “We transport highly inflammable products through our trucks, and all the allegations being made are unfounded. We collaborate with NARTO and PTD.

” NARTO represents the truck owners, while the tanker drivers are our drivers. We always come together to make important decisions regarding safety, as it is our top priority, and we take it very seriously.

” Mohammed has been doing his best to reduce road accidents involving trucks. We’ve taken precautions, such as prohibiting our members from driving at night and advising them to rest if they feel sleepy. NARTO has also begun building rest parks for drivers to use when they need to take a break.”

News

Tinubu to skip 79th UNGA to focus on pressing challenges at home

Published

5 hours ago

September 19, 2024

Austin Ojomah

By Francesca Hangeior

President Bola Tinubu has decided to skip the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, opting instead to focus on Nigeria’s pressing domestic challenges, particularly the recent devastating flooding that has affected the country.

A statement issued on Thursday by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, which disclosed President Tinubu’s decision, also said Vice President Kashim Shettima will lead Nigeria’s delegation in his place.

The President’s move is seen as a prioritization of local concerns over international diplomacy, as President Tinubu aims to address the immediate needs of Nigerians affected by the floods.

The UNGA, scheduled to take place from September 24 to 28, 2024, will feature discussions on sustainable development, peace, and human dignity.

VP Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement to the General Assembly, attend key sideline events, and engage in bilateral meetings, ensuring the country’s interests are represented on the global stage.

“President Bola Tinubu will not attend the 79th United Nations General Assembly session in New York this year.

“The President has thus directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation.

“President Tinubu, who returned to the country last Sunday after his trip to China and the United Kingdom, wants to focus on domestic issues and address some of the country’s challenges, especially after the recent devastating flooding.

“At UNGA 79, Vice President Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement to the General Assembly, attend important sideline events, and hold bilateral meetings.

“The high-level General Debate, with the theme ‘Leaving no one behind: Acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations’, will run from Tuesday, September 24, through Saturday, September 28, 2024”, the statement said.