President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his commitment to reinstating Nigeria’s old national anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” emphasizing that it was always a priority for his administration.
Speaking on Thursday during a meeting with the leadership of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) at the State House in Abuja, Tinubu addressed the legislative changes that brought back the former anthem.
Tinubu said that the National Assembly made the law reverting to the old national anthem and he does not have a choice but to obey the legislation.
He further underscored the significance of celebrating Nigeria’s diversity and viewing the country’s population as a strength rather than a burden.
He said: “Let me allude to something that happened yesterday. The change of national anthem, ‘Nigeria, we hail thee’. Some people say, okay… say what? Is that your priority? It’s my priority. I agree with the National Assembly. If they make law, I’ve got to obey that law, or we disagree openly and close the chapter.”
Highlighting the importance of unity and diversity, Tinubu continued: “The question of diversity. Who gave us the name Nigeria? Is it not Britain? Or somewhere? Have we changed our name? We are Nigerians. Our passport shows that. As long as we are Nigerians and one family, we remain and protect our diversity and love one another as brothers and sisters. It is God Almighty that puts you in that particular place and makes you a member of that family. You have no control over it. When I came begging for votes, I didn’t say vote for me as a Yoruba man, I said vote for me as Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
The president’s remarks come after his 2022 interview in which he expressed his intention to bring back the original national anthem if given the opportunity. True to his word, two years later, Tinubu signed a bill into law that officially reinstated “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” as the national anthem.
The reintroduction of the old anthem has sparked a mix of reactions across the country. While some see it as a move to honor Nigeria’s history and cultural heritage, others criticize it as a distraction from the pressing issues facing the nation.
Critics argue that the focus should be on addressing the myriad of challenges Nigerians are currently confronting, including economic instability, security concerns, and social inequalities.
