By Francesca Hangeior
The Federal Republic of Nigeria, today, officially reverted to the National Anthem that heralded its independence as a sovereign Nation.
President Bola Tinubu, after he met a joint session of the National Assembly, signed into law, the adoption of the old National Anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee.”
“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.”
However, the second national anthem, “Arise, O Compatriots,” was adopted in 1978.
The lyrics of the now jettisoned anthem were a combination of words and phrases taken from five of the best entries in a national contest.
The words were put to music by the Nigerian Police Band under the directorship of Benedict P. Odiase (1934–2013).
The Nigerian national anthem lyrics were created by five people: P. O. Aderibigbe, John A. Ilechukwu, Dr. Sota Omoigui, Eme tim Akpan and B.A. Ogunnaike.
With the return to the old anthem, Nigeria officially switched from a ‘Fatherland’ to a ‘Motherland’.
Hereunder are the Three Stanzas of the old but now new National Anthem:
1. Nigeria we hail thee,
Our own dear native land,
Though tribe and tongue may differ,
In brotherhood we stand,
Nigerians all, and proud to serve
Our sovereign Motherland.
2. 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.
3. 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.