News

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

Published

9 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

BREAKING: Jubilation As PDP Wins All 30 LGs In Osun State(See winners)

Published

6 hours ago

February 22, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Osun State Independent Electoral Commission, OSSIEC, has announced that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, won all the local government and councillorship positions in the just concluded local government elections in the state.

The Chairman of the Commission, Hashim Abioye, made this announcement via a Facebook Live broadcast on Saturday evening.

Abioye stated that PDP candidates secured all the councillorship seats in all 332 wards in the state, as well as the chairmanship elections in all 30 local government council areas.

The names of the PDP chairmanship candidates and their respective local government council areas:

Babalola Wasiu Kayode – Boripe

Okunade Oluwafemi Adesanya – Egbedore

Adeyenuwo Rotimi John – Ife Central

Agboola Francis Olajire – Obokun

Azeez Lateef Adeniran – Isokan

Aina Abayomi Adesina – Boluwaduro

Sodiq Samuel Oluwapelumi – Ola Oluwa

Ajibade Oluwatoyin S. – Irepodun

Adebanjo Oladiti Tunmininu – Ilesa West

Ibironke Alade Adegboye – Atakumosa East

Aroke Muyiwa Aderemi – Ife South

Kolade Obafemi Kolawole – Olorunda

Moshood Adekunle Kabiru – Iwo

Awotunde Abiodun Sarafadeen – Ifelodun

Akande Taiwo Adekunle – Osogbo

Dada Feyisayo Ajibola – Atakumosa West

Amodu Taiwo – Ede North

Atolagbe Kayode Olayinka – Ifedayo

Akande Michael O. – Ife North

Adeyekun Taiwo Adebayo – Oriade

Adeniran Adenike Felicia – Ayedaade

Afolabi Oyekola Lukman – Ede South

Odunyemi Haruna Bukola – Ife East

Jooda Ambali Babajide – Irewole

Adewale Adeyinka Oluwaseun – Odo Otin

Ogunbiyi Solomon Akinyemi – Ayedire

Raimi Adenike Nafisat – Ejigbo

Adebisi Jayeola Nasir – Ila

Ilesanmi Taiwo Sunday – Ilesa East

Alade Aderemi Fatai – Orolu

News

DSS arrests three for assaulting operatives during LSHA crisis

Published

6 hours ago

February 22, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested three persons linked to the alleged assault on its officers during the crisis that rocked the Lagos State House of Assembly, following the removal Mudashiru Obasa, as Speaker

Apparently sensing danger, some lawmakers had mobilized their supporters to the Assembly Complex, but these supporters allegedly attacked some DSS officers who were invited by the Assembly leadership to secure the facility. Security sources revealed that “after extensive analysis of CCTV footage, we were able to clearly identify three of the suspects”.
“The suspects, Ibrahim Olanrewaju Abdulkareem, a photographer and two others attached to the Assembly’s Seargent at Arms, Adetu Adekunle Samsudeen and Adetola Oluwatosin Fatimoh, a lady, were consequently tracked and arrested during the week in different parts of Lagos,” The trio have since confessed to the crime and will soon be charged to court, the source said.

It would be recalled that the Lagos Assembly had in a leaked memo dated 14th February, 2025 and addressed to the DSS Director in the State, and Heads of other Security Agencies in Lagos State, told the Security Agencies in Lagos that, there was credible information to the effect that, Obasa had planned to forcefully reinstate himself today, February 18, 2025.
Accordingly, the Assembly management, held the view that, the development posed “a potential security threat” to it and its members.

News

Police seal OSSIEC office, officials nabbed, says chairman

Published

6 hours ago

February 22, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The chairman of the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC), Hashim Abioye, has claimed that the police have sealed off the headquarters in Osogbo.

In a video post on the OSSIEC X handle, Abioye accused the police of also arresting election officials and blocking journalists from covering the local government election.

According to him, several OSSIEC officials were detained while on their way to polling units on Saturday.

Attempts by our correspondent to reach Abioye for further details proved abortive as his telephone line was switched off.

The OSSIEC chair, in the post, assured voters that materials had been deployed to affected areas.

So far so good, the reports have been positive and the conduct has been very smooth and peaceful as against the false alarm raised by the police. Everywhere is calm,” Abioye said.

“The only thing is that in some of the areas in which materials are supposed to have arrived for voters to cast their votes, we had reports of police arresting our officials.

“I don’t know on whose order because there is no court order that warranted the arrest of officers of our officials.

“As it is, we have deployed materials to those units because we have enough on the ground.

For our people in the media community, I want to apologise for the inadequacy of the tags and the jackets because we have enough but the police sealed our office and that was not warranted at all.”

Abioye’s comments come after police had called for the local government election to be called off by the state government, citing a security threat.

In a statement by its Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Friday, the Police said it received credible intelligence indicating a likelihood of violence and significant security threats should the planned elections proceed.

The police explained that reports gathered from joint intelligence gathering revealed that various groups, including political elements and other interested parties, are mobilising to instigate unrest, disrupt public peace and undermine the democratic order.

However, the Osun State government acknowledged the police’s advice but insisted on going on with the election.

Channels Television reports that the election eventually went on as scheduled on Saturday.