President Tinubu Signs Bill to Reinstate Nigeria’s Old National Anthem
By Matthew Eloyi
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday signed the National Anthem Bill 2024 into law. The bill seeks to reinstate the old anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” replacing the currently recognized “Arise O Compatriots.”
The bill swiftly passed through both the Senate and the House of Representatives before receiving the President’s final assent.
This legislative move marks a significant shift in Nigeria’s national symbols, aiming to revive the anthem that was in use prior to the current one.
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Below are the lyrics to the reinstated old national anthem:
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.
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,
And so with peace and plenty
Nigeria may be blessed.
The anthem was written by Lillian Jean Williams, a British expatriate residing in Nigeria.
