Nigeria, We Hail Thee
 Sheet music | |
National anthem of  Nigeria | |
| Lyrics | Lillian Jean Williams, 1959 |
|---|---|
| Music | Frances Berda, 1959 |
| Adopted | 1 October 1960 |
| Readopted | 29 May 2024 |
| Relinquished | 1978 |
"Nigeria, We Hail Thee" is the national anthem of Nigeria, used from independence in 1960 until 1978, and then from 2024. Nigeria's former anthem, "Arise, O Compatriots," was adopted in 1978, replacing "Nigeria, We Hail Thee."[1] On 29 May 2024, Bola Tinubu signed a bill reinstating "Nigeria, We Hail Thee."[2]
History[edit]
"Nigeria, We Hail Thee" was adopted as Nigeria's first national anthem on October 1, 1960.[3] The anthem's lyrics were written by Lillian Jean Williams, a British expatriate who lived in Nigeria when it achieved independence.[3] Frances Berda composed the music for "Nigeria, We Hail Thee."[3]
The second national anthem, "Arise, O Compatriots," replaced "Nigeria, We Hail Thee" in 1978.[3] The lyrics were created by five Nigerians: P. O. Aderibigbe, John A. Ilechukwu, Dr. Sota Omoigui, Eme Etim Akpan and B.A. Ogunnaike.
On May 23, 2024, the House of Representatives passed a bill to revert from the current anthem to Nigeria, We Hail Thee. This bill was signed into law on May 29, 2024.[4]
Lyrics[edit]
Nigeria we hail thee
Our own dear native land
Though tribes and tongue may differ
In brotherhood we stand
Nigerians all, are proud to serve
Our sovereign Motherland.
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.
O God of all creation
Grant this our one request.
Help us to build a nation
Where no man is oppressed(balindi)
And so with peace and plenty
Nigeria shall be blessed.
Criticism[edit]
When "Nigeria, We Hail Thee" was first announced, the new national anthem faced criticism for a number[quantify] of reasons. The Daily Service, a newspaper run by the Yoruba organisation Egbé Ọmọ Odùduwà, started a rebellious campaign against the national anthem, which led to a committee being established to collect signatures as a petition.[5]
Following its readoption in 2024, the song was again criticised for the lack of consultation during which the law designating it as the national anthem and for what was perceived to be misplaced priorities by the administration of President Bola Tinubu. Former education minister Oby Ezekwesili criticised the anthem's suitability given the presence of "pejorative" words like “Native Land” and “Tribes” and that she would continue to sing Arise, O Compatriots as the national anthem. Mohammed Tahir Monguno, chair of the parliamentary committee that pushed through the anthem's readoption, said that the change was "apt, timely and important", while Tinubu said the anthem symbolised Nigeria's diversity.[6][7]
References[edit]
- ^ "Nigeria's National Anthem Composer, Pa Ben Odiase, Dies". Gazelle News. 2013-06-12. Archived from the original on 2017-09-27. Retrieved 2013-07-08.
- ^ Akpan, Samuel (29 May 2024). "Tinubu signs bill returning old national anthem into law". The Cable. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b c d "Goodnight, Pa Benedict Odiase (1934 – 2013)". National Mirror. 2013-06-30. Archived from the original on 2013-07-04. Retrieved 2013-07-08.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "Nigeria's new-old national anthem sparks outrage after it is signed by Bola Tinubu". BBC News. 2024-05-29. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
- ^ Mphahlele, Ezekiel (1960). "Nigeria on the Eve of Independence". Africa Today. 7 (6): 4–6. JSTOR 4184128.
- ^ "Outrage as Nigeria changes national anthem". BBC. 29 May 2024. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
- ^ "Nigeria's new anthem, written by a Briton, sparks criticism after a contentious law is passed". Associated Press. 30 May 2024. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
