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President Tinubu Flags Off New National Anthem ‘Nigeria We Hail Thee’, as NASS Celebrate 25 Years Of Uninterrupted Democracy

Published

6 months ago

May 29, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

…say 2024 appropriation bill to be submitted early

By Gloria Ikibah

President Bola Tinubu has signed into law the New National anthem “Nigeria We Hail Thee” in Wednesday morning.

The President who was at the Joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives on Wednesday, also flagged off the new anthem as it was official sung for the first time after the New National Anthem Bill was signed into law by President Tinubu on Wednesday morning.

Naijablitznews.com recalled that last week the Senate and House of Representatives passed the bill to revert to the old national anthem during plenary.

President Tinubu in his address congratulated Nigeria for 25 years of unbroken democracy and urged the lawmakers to work together to build Nigeria not only for us but for generations yet unborn.

“Out of respect I come to say thank you very much for building up to this stage. Building the institution, building the country, you are the first and foremost leaders that will speak for our people and you have been in the forefront of this struggle.

“This institution, the hallowed chambers represent our consciousness for freedom and sense of belonging.

“You rang out the latest national anthem ‘Nigeria We Hail Thee’. Since this our democracy representing all charaand how we have lived together to be brothers and sisters.

“Without this House probably I may not have found the path to the presidency.

“Continue to collaborate, work together, build our country, we have no other choice, it is our nation. No other institution or personality, we have to do it ourselves.

“We must build this nation so that the future of our children and grandchildren will be sure of prosperity”, PresidentTinubu said.

He also assured that he will bring the year 2024 appropriation bill to the National Assembly in a few month time.

Naijablitznews.com reports that the joint session was in commemoration of 25 year of uninterupted democratic and legislative practice in Nigeria.

Earlier, according to the tradition of the House, Leader of the House, Rep. Julius Ihonvbere, moved a motion for the admittance into the chamber non members of the House of Representatives and this motion was seconded by the House Minority Leader, Rep. Kingsley Chinda.

“That the House, pursuant to Order Six, Rule 4(1)(i),(ii), (iii), (iv), (viii) and (ix) of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives, do admit into the Chamber, the President, Commander–In–Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Vice President, Former Head of States, the President of the Senate, Senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Former Senate President, Former Senators, Former Speaker, Former Members, Former Clerks to the National Assembly, Ministers, other Management Staff of the National Assembly, Government Officials and other Dignitaries to commemorates 25 years of Unbroken Democracy/Legislature”, the House Leader said.

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas were also ushered in. After which Senator he called the session to order and announced that the new national anthem ‘Nigeria We Hail Thee’ shall be sung upon the arrival of the president.

He also announced that the new national anthem has been duly accented to by the President and signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The President of the Senate commended President Tinubu for the decision to revert to the old national anthem “Nigeria We Hail Thee”.

He said: “It is important I explain the importance of this visit. That this is what we call in Nollywood ‘waka pass.’ You intend to celebrate democracy day which is June 12. But out of your respect for the National Assembly, you said you must pass through the National Assembly on your first anniversary in office.

“Of all the significant things you have done, I think one of the most important is to take us back to our genealogy. The genealogy of our birth. That though we may belong to different tribes, though we have different tongues, in brotherhood we must stand. Henceforth, we may not refer to ourselves as colleagues, we will refer to ourselves as brothers.

“Whether in the field of battle, in politics, we must hail Nigeria. The best place to start this revolution is the National Assembly where we have the elected representatives of the people”.

The Speaker of the House had explained that the President will be present only to flagoff the new national anthem and afterwards proceeds to attend other functions.

In his remarks he thanked the president for the partnership that existed with the national assembly.

“A big thank you to our dear leaders who has been very supportive of the national assembly over the last one year. A true democrat who has seen it all, a former Governor, Former Senators, a leader of the party and now the president.

“I want you to know your Excellency that we in the National Assembly are very very happy with your report card, with your performance so far.

“The national assembly is very thankful for your partnership that existed within the last one year. It has been a partnership that has been mutually beneficial to all of us.

“It is a win-win and that is how democracy is supposed to be played”, Speaker Abbas stated.

Naijablitznews.com recalled that both chambers of the national assembly on Thursday May 23nd , 2024, passed a bill to revert to the old national anthem ‘Nigeria, We Hail Thee’ and discard the present one, ‘Arise O’ Compatriots.

Sponsored by the House Leader, Hon. Julius Ihonvbere and Senate Majority Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele respectively, the bill speedily passed through second reading, considered and approved at the Committee of the Whole and passed for third reading at plenary

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

It 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 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.

News

HoR to Hold Interactive Session on Executive Tax Return Bills

Published

2 hours ago

November 17, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives is set to host an internal Interactive Session on the four Executive Tax Reform Bills currently before the National Assembly, on Monday, November 18, 2024, in Abuja.

This was contained in a statement by the House Spokesman, Rep. Akin Rotimi, on Sunday in Abuja.

According to him, this initiative, championed by the House Leadership, underscores our commitment to ensuring robust engagement and informed legislative action on critical policy reforms.

The statement reads in part: “It aims to provide Members of the House with a platform to engage directly with the principal promoters of the tax reform bills from the Executive arm of government.

“Thus, this engagement will enable Honourable Members seek clarifications, pose critical questions, and gain deeper insights into the proposed reforms. Such understanding is vital to strengthening the legislative process and enhancing Members’ contributions to the deliberations on these bills.

“Recognising the national significance of the proposed reforms and their implications for fiscal policy and governance.

“The 10th House of Representatives remains committed to its mandate of advancing the nation’s development through transparent, inclusive, and informed legislative processes.

“The public is invited to note that while this is an internal interactive session, it does not foreclose the customary public hearing—a crucial step in the lawmaking process. At such hearings, members of the public are provided with an opportunity to gain deeper insights into legislative proposals and make meaningful inputs aimed at shaping effective reforms”, Rotimi stated.

News

FG Commends Governor Bago For Intervention In Federal Road Projects Across The State

Published

2 hours ago

November 17, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The Federal Government has commended Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, for his intervention in several federal road projects across the state.

Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, gave the commendation during an interactive session in Abuja with Niger State Government, and contractors handling various federal road projects in the state, to reviewed ongoing federal road projects in Niger with the goal of addressing outstanding issues.

Umahi praised the Governor’s efforts, calling them “unprecedented,” and acknowledged his exemplary leadership in personally leading the state delegation to the meeting, this is even as he urged other state governors to follow the example set by Governor Bago, emphasizing the importance of effective and continuous project supervision.

The Minister also stressed the need for improved collaboration between federal legislators and the Ministry to ensure sufficient funding for the execution of these projects, and warned contractors to adhere strictly to project specifications, stating that failure to do so would result in contract termination.

The Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, who also lauded Governor Bago, described him as a hardworking and passionate leader, and highlighted that the Governor’s people-oriented programs reflect his deep commitment to the wellbeing of his constituents.

In his remarks the Niger Governor revealed that the state government is intervening in 18 federal road projects, aimed at complementing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda.

Bago suggested that such peer reviews should occur quarterly and encouraged his fellow governors to participate, as it would motivate the Federal Government to further support the people.

The Governor also applauded the Minister of Works for his courage, capacity, and competence in managing his responsibilities.

News

#OndoDecides2024: APC congratulates Aiyedatiwa, applauds Ondo electorate

Published

6 hours ago

November 17, 2024

Naijablitznews

By Francesca Hangeior

The All Progressives Congress has congratulated the Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on his re-election in the just-concluded governorship election.

Aiyedatiwa won the election, having polled a total of 366,781 votes across all 18 Local Government Areas of the state.

He defeated his closest rival — Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party, who got 117,845 votes.

In a statement issued by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, on Sunday, and made available to PUNCH Online, the party described Aiyedatiwa as a “clear attestation” that his administration’s policies “resonated deeply with the electorate.”

The statement read, “The All Progressives Congress (APC) heartily congratulates the Governor of Ondo State, His Excellency, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on his re-election.

“Your Excellency’s resounding victory in the just-concluded Ondo State gubernatorial election is a clear attestation that your administration’s policies and programmes and campaign message of hope and consolidation have resonated deeply with the electorate.