History of the Anthem
The former national anthem of Nigeria, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” holds a special place in the country’s history. Adopted on October 1, 1960, it marked Nigeria’s independence from British colonial rule. The anthem’s lyrics were penned by Lillian Jean Williams, a British expatriate residing in Nigeria at the time. The music was composed by another Briton named Frances Berda.
Adoption and Usage
- Adoption Date: October 1, 1960
- Usage Period: Officially used from 1960 until 1978
- Replacement: In 1978, it was replaced by the current anthem, “Arise, O Compatriots”.
Lyrics of the Old National Anthem – 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 honor’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.
Criticism and Controversy
The old national anthem faced criticism for not being composed by a Nigerian, among other reasons. A newspaper run by the political organization Egbé Ọmọ Odùduwà launched a campaign against the anthem, collecting signatures as a petition.
Reinstatement
On May 29, 2024, the old national anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” was reinstated by a bill signed into law by Bola Tinubu. The anthem, with its rich cultural heritage, remains a testament to Nigeria’s journey towards independence and unity.
