Nigerians' reactions to the government's decision to play the country's ancient national hymn have been mixed.
On Wednesday, President Bola Tinubu signed the National song Bill 2024 into law, attempting to replace the current song, "Arise, O Compatriots," with the traditional hymn, "Nigeria, We Hail Thee."
After Nigeria attained independence in 1960, the national anthem was "Nigeria, We Hail Thee," which was changed in 1978 by "Arise, O Compatriots."
PUNCH Online reported that Mrs. Obiageli Ezekwesili, a former minister of education, declared she would not go back to the previous national anthem in response to the announcement that it had been reinstated on X.com.
The choice made by The decision by the Nigerian government to play the previous national anthem has provoked a variety of responses from the populace.
On Wednesday, President Bola Tinubu signed the National song Bill 2024 into law, attempting to replace the current song, "Arise, O Compatriots," with the traditional hymn, "Nigeria, We Hail Thee."
After Nigeria attained independence in 1960, the national anthem was "Nigeria, We Hail Thee," which was changed in 1978 by "Arise, O Compatriots."
PUNCH Online reported that Mrs. Obiageli Ezekwesili, a former minister of education, declared she would not go back to the previous national anthem in response to the announcement that it had been reinstated on X.com.
Lawrence Ohineme, a Twitter user going by the handle #LOhineme, said, "Looks like this government wants to divert By making us learn an antiquated national anthem, we are preventing Nigerians from concentrating on the struggles they face. There is a priority mismatch here.
In a similar vein, anonymous Twitter user #SamFomwul questioned, "How is this intended to promote the wellbeing of the masses? Oh, no way!
"Nigerians never agreed to this; the Reps and senators never consulted with their constituencies before going ahead with this retrogressive and inconsequential bill," tweeted another X.com user under the pseudonym #charlycity.
"Instead of going back to the outdated national anthem, why don't we ask our talented songwriters to write something better?" Tweeting under the handle #GbengaSegu23029, Gbenga Akeju enquired.
Using the hashtag #Iamkingsleyf, Kingsley Ibietela tweeted, "Please, can you guys rush like this and deliver return to the 1963 Constitution?
Adegboyega Adeyemi posted on Facebook, saying, "This is nothing more than a backward integration." When will the colonial mindset leave Nigeria? We are here exchanging a national anthem that was created here for one that was imposed by colonists.
According to popular opinion, changing the national anthem is not our priority for the time being and is not the reason Nigeria is not functioning, so this particular move by the government simply tells you that they don't have regard for the opinions of Nigerians on any issue. Nelson Oriarebun made this observation.
Despite the many criticisms aimed at the new law, one Simeon Simeon on Facebook expressed support for the change, calling it a positive step. He wrote, "A welcomed development. I have always said if I were president, I would change the Arise o compatriots thing. Thank you, Mr. President for a clear vision." Olayemi Salami wrote, "I'm 42 years old now; it took me 40 years to learn our national anthem, and now you're introducing a new one, which will take me another 40 years to learn. God will judge you people." Despite the numerous criticisms aimed at the new law, Simeon Simeon on Facebook expressed support for the change anthem, questioning whether it would aid in rescuing the country's economy, which is currently Nigeria's greatest obstacle.
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