The National Assembly has approved a bill to change the current national anthem from “Arise O Compatriots” to the old anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail thee.”
This move was supported by both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
The bill, titled “National Anthem Bill, 2024,” passed its third reading after careful consideration by the Committees on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, and Federal Character, and Intergovernmental Affairs.
During a public hearing on the matter, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, advised lawmakers to engage in wider consultations before passing the bill.
The bill was read for the first and second time last week and received an accelerated hearing at both chambers.
While it passed the second reading at the Senate, it was referred to the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters for further legislative actions.
Once the bill is transmitted to President Bola Tinubu and assented to, it will be the first time Nigeria’s national anthem is given legal backing.
The Chairman of the committee, Senator Tahir Mongunu, who represents Borno North, presented the report during plenary.
He emphasized that the bill aims to provide a legal framework for the national anthem, ensuring its significance and power.
Mongunu clarified that the bill does not require constitutional amendment or wider citizen participation, but it did undergo a public hearing and readings at all stages.
In his report, Mongunu highlighted that the new national anthem is fitting as it represents the country’s people, culture, values, and aspirations. He recommended the passage of the bill, stating that it is important to preserve the history, culture, and identity of Nigeria.
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, also addressed the concerns raised by the Attorney General, noting that the AGF is not a lawmaker and may lack a full understanding of the legislative process.
Here are the lyrics to the new national anthem, “Nigeria We Hail Thee”:
“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 honored,
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.”
BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto
Worried by the indefinite strike action embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU) Sokoto State University chapter, the state government has concluded that it was a politically motivated action.
Addressing newsmen at the Government House, Sokoto, the state commissioner for Higher Education, Professor Isa Muhammad Maishanu expressed concerns that the management of Sokoto State University (SSU) should rather show some degree of appreciation to the governor Ahmed Aliyu led who have intervened in most of their challanges.
According to Prof. Maishanu, SSU had suffered neglect from previous administration thus leaving the state Ivory tower in a deplorable condition without electricity, dilapidated lecture rooms, and offices which rendered the institution unpalatable.
Continuing, Prof Maishanu said, despite not giving any document regarding assets and liabilities of SSU by the immediate past governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal led government, the present administration of Ahmed Aliyu has restored cash allocation to the institution, payment of the stopped visiting lecturers salaries all in his pursuit of better education for he people of the state.
While stressing that the reasons giving for embarking on the strike by SSU ASUU which include, “Non- implementation of the 25% and 35% salary increase for both non academic and academic staff,
non payment of the check off dues, implementation of 25%-35% increase and the EAA, are issues that could be easily addressed as the governor has constituted committee to look into the complaint after it was presented, Prof. Maishanu appealed to the striking SSU ASUU to give peace a chance.
He added that the committee set up by governor Ahmed Aliyu had “obtained templates and relevant circulars and making frantic consultations with relevant agencies including the Federal Ministry of Labor and Employment on the said matter’.
The Chairman of Northern Youth Wing Christians Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN), Musa Misal, has denied issuing any press statement in support of Rev Yakubu Pam, the former Northern CAN chairman, stating that their allegiance is with Rev John Joseph Hayab.
Misal in a statement issued to journalists said some people wrote an earlier statement and asked him to sign, but he refused because he was present when the State Chairmen in the 19 Northern States and FCT elected Rev John Joseph Hayab as their leader.
“I was present, live and direct when the State Chairmen and Secretaries, together with Christian Stakeholders, elected Rev Joseph John Hayab as chairman, an election that has brought joy and relief to many Christians in the region,” he said.
The Northern States YOWICAN and the general public should disregard the fake statement. We are children of God who will give account before God on the day of Judgement.
“I, therefore, wish to disassociate myself from the “Northern CAN Youth Wing Stands Firm for REV Pam ” press statement and also appeal to any of my colleagues that has allowed anyone to use him to stop henceforth.
“My appeal also goes to the former leaders to stop the desperation and join the joy of the moment with Rev Hayab as our New Chairman,” he added.
EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, said this in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja.
According to him, their arrest follows credible intelligence linking them to fraudulent internet activities.
”Items recovered from them include seven exotic cars, laptop computers and phones.
”They have made useful statements and will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded,” he said.
