Federal Government Urges Wider Consultations on National Anthem Bill, Seeks Universal Acceptance

The federal government has asked members of the National Assembly to subject the Nigerian National Anthem Bill to wider consultations before passing it. The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, stated this in Abuja on Monday at a public hearing on the bill to revert to the old national anthem. The hearing was jointly organized by the Senate Committees on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters and Interior, to which it was referred by the Senate on Thursday after it scaled second reading.

The House of Representatives accelerated and passed the bill in a single sitting on Thursday. Mr. Fagbemi said there was a need for a wider process where Nigerians and other arms and tiers of government would participate in the decision to revert to the old national anthem before it finally becomes law.

Federal Government: A Bill for an Act to Provide for the National Anthem of Nigeria

The bill is titled: A Bill for an Act to Provide for the National Anthem of Nigeria, and for Matters Related.” Mr. Fagbemi proposed consultations through zonal public hearings, resolutions of the Federal Executive Council, Council of State, National and State Assemblies, etc. He said the outcome of this process is bound to be a true reflection of the wishes of the generality or majority of Nigerians.

The minister added that he was grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this national cause. He emphasized that a national anthem is expected to be universally accepted by citizens of the country and should be determined through competition.

Federal Government: Anthem Determined through Competition

Mr. Fagbemi explained that a national anthem is expected to be universally accepted by citizens of the country. He also stressed that the composition of the national anthem should be determined through competition. He observed that it is generally accepted that a national anthem is considered a major symbol of national identity and culture.

It is meant to reflect the people’s hopes, values, and history. A national anthem is expected to enjoy universal acceptance and veneration amongst the citizens, for it to attain the status of an official song that commands respect, patriotism, and national consciousness.

Federal Government: Change of National Anthem Should Not Be through Presidential Proclamation Alone

The attorney general, therefore, recommended that the change of the national anthem should not be through presidential proclamation or legislation alone without considering the opinion of the masses. He said it is not out of place for Nigeria to be guided by the process of evolution of a national anthem in other jurisdictions.

For most African countries, the national anthem symbolizes the end of colonialism. Hence, former British colonies jettisoned “God Bless the Queen” to adopt their home-made national anthems, which were all notably written by their own citizens.

Federal Government: Minister of Information Calls for Broader Scope in National Anthem Bill

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has called for a more comprehensive approach to the proposed bill on the national anthem. Speaking at a recent hearing, Idris recommended that the scope of the bill be expanded to include a robust discussion on national identity, rather than simply focusing on a change of national anthem. This, he believes, would allow for a more nuanced and inclusive approach to the issue.

Mohammed Idris, who was represented by the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency, Lanre Issa-Onilu, also highlighted some of the limitations of the current national anthem. He noted that some lines in the old anthem do not make complete sense, and that a revised version could better reflect the country’s values and identity. By broadening the scope of the bill, Idris hopes to create a more meaningful and unifying national anthem that truly represents the nation’s diverse population.

Federal Government: National Anthem Bill Passed by Senate and House of Representatives

Nigeria stands at the threshold of reintroducing its old national anthem to the polity, as the Senate, on Tuesday, toed the same path with the House of Representatives, passing a bill to drop the current national anthem – ‘Arise O Compatriots’ . This move comes after the House of Representatives passed the bill on May 23rd, 2024 . The old national anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee”, was adopted as Nigeria’s first national anthem on October 1, 1960.

The bill, which has passed its first and second readings, awaits President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s assent . The old anthem’s lyrics were written by Lillian Jean Williams, a British expatriate who lived in Nigeria when it achieved independence . Senators in their various contributions embraced the idea, saying that the old version would encourage Nigerians to be patriotic . The rendition and musical accuracy of the anthem is better in content and context than the current one .