Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage is encapsulated in its national symbols, one of which is the national anthem. The old national anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” holds a special place in the country’s history.
Here’s an extensive look at the facts and full lyrics of Nigeria’s old national anthem.
History of the Anthem
“Nigeria, We Hail Thee” was adopted as Nigeria’s first national anthem on October 1, 1960, to mark the country’s independence from British colonial rule. The lyrics were penned by Lillian Jean Williams, a British expatriate residing in Nigeria at the time. Frances Berda, another Briton, composed the music.
Adoption and Usage
The anthem was in official use from 1960 until 1978, when it was replaced by the current anthem, “Arise, O Compatriots”.
Lyrics of the Old National Anthem
Here are the full lyrics of “Nigeria, We Hail Thee”:
Stanza 1:
Nigeria we hail thee,
Our own dear native land,
Though tribe and tongue may differ,
In brotherhood we stand,
Nigerians all, and proud to serve
Our sovereign Motherland.
Stanza 2:
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.
Stanza 3:
O God of all creation,
Grant this our one request,
Help us to build a nation
Where no man is oppressed,
And so with peace and plenty
Nigeria may be blessed.
Who composed the old national anthem of Nigeria?
The old national anthem was composed by Lillian Jean Williams, with music by Frances Berda.
When was Nigeria’s old national anthem adopted?
It was adopted on October 1, 1960.
When did Nigeria stop using her first national anthem?
Nigeria ceased to use “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” as the national anthem in 1978.
Criticism and Controversy
The anthem faced criticism for not being composed by a Nigerian, among other reasons. This led to a campaign by a newspaper run by the political organization Egbé Ọmọ Odùduwà, which collected signatures as a petition against the anthem.
