President Bola Tinubu says the re-adopted national anthem is all about service to Nigeria.
On Wednesday morning, Tinubu signed the bill reintroducing the old national anthem which is themed ‘Nigeria, We Hail Thee’.
The one which the country has used since 1978 is titled ‘Arise, O Compatriots’.
After the president signed the bill, he was welcomed to the floor of the green chamber of the national assembly to the tune of the reintroduced anthem.
Before the passage of the bill and the presidential assent, there were calls for broader consultation.
Shehu Sani, a former senator representing Kaduna central, said changing the national anthem should be done after consultations with Nigerians.
Sani said altering the national anthem without consulting widely would be seen as an attempt to dissolve Nigeria.
However, after signing the bill, Tinubu said the reintroduced anthem reflects the country’s diversity and unity.
The president also stressed his point at the re-launch of the commencement of commercial operations of the Abuja light rail.
“And that part is the critical element of our new national anthem…it is all about service, you are proud to serve your motherland,” Tinubu said.
Some citizens have however expressed their disapproval of the development.
Obiageli Ezekwesili, former minister of education, described the law as repugnant and said she would continue to sing the former 46-year-old anthem.
