The former Minister of Education, Mrs. Obiageli Ezekwesili, has announced that she will not adopt the old national anthem recently reinstated by President Bola Tinubu. Ezekwesili made this statement in a post on her X handle on Wednesday.
She asserted that no one can suppress her right to dissent from what she termed an “obnoxious law” repugnant to all conscientious Nigerians.
The ex-minister stated, “Let it be known to all and sundry that I, Obiageli ‘Oby’ Ezekwesili, will, whenever asked to sing the Nigerian National Anthem, sing:
“1. Arise, O compatriots, Nigeria’s call obey
“To serve our fatherland
“With love and strength and faith
“The labour of our heroes past
“Shall never be in vain
“To serve with heart and might
“One nation bound in freedom, peace and unity.”
She continued, “2. Oh God of creation, direct our noble cause
“Guide our leader’s right
“Help our youth the truth to know
“In love and honesty to grow
“And living just and true
“Great lofty heights attain
“To build a nation where peace and justice reign.”
Chronicles Reporters had earlier reported that the Senate and the House of Representatives rapidly passed the National Anthem Bill 2024, reinstating the old anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee.” Leading the debate in the lower chamber, the sponsor of the bill, Julius Ihonvbere, emphasized the need for patriotism and nationalism, Chronicles Reporters Online earlier noted.
The 10th Senate passed the bill after reviewing a report by Tahir Monguno, the lawmaker representing Borno North Senatorial District and chair of the Judiciary Committee.
However, many Nigerians on social media questioned the relevance of this move, wondering if it would address the nation’s economic challenges, currently Nigeria’s most pressing issue. Similarly, Ahmad Satomi, a lawmaker representing Jere Federal Constituency, Borno State, challenged the Green Chamber last week regarding the bill, sparking widespread discussion and debate about its relevance to Nigeria’s pressing issues.