Nigeria, We Hail Thee
 Sheet music | |
National anthem of  Nigeria | |
| Lyrics | Lillian Jean Williams, 1959 |
|---|---|
| Music | Frances Berda, 1959 |
| Adopted | 1 October 1960 |
| Readopted | 29 May 2024 |
| Relinquished | 1978 |
Nigeria, We Hail Thee is the national anthem of Nigeria, formerly used from independence in 1960 until 1978. Arise, O Compatriots, was then adopted as Nigeria's national anthem in 1978 and used until 2024. [1] "Nigeria, We Hail Thee" was officially readopted on 29 May 2024, replacing "Arise, O Compatriots".[2]
History[edit]
"Nigeria, We Hail Thee" was adopted as Nigeria's first national anthem on 1 October 1960. The anthem's lyrics were written by Lillian Jean Williams, a British expatriate who lived in Nigeria when it achieved independence. Frances Berda composed the music for "Nigeria, We Hail Thee."[3] The song was used as the national anthem until it was replaced by "Arise, O Compatriots" in 1978.[3]
On 23 May 2024, the National Assembly passed a bill to relinquish "Arise, O Compatriots" replacing it with "Nigeria, We Hail Thee". The bill was signed into law by President Bola Tinubu on 29 May 2024.[4][5]
Lyrics[edit]
| English lyrics |
|---|
I |
Criticism[edit]
When "Nigeria, We Hail Thee" was first adopted in 1960, the new national anthem faced criticism for a number[quantify] of reasons. The Daily Service, a newspaper run by the Yoruba organisation Egbé Ọmọ Odùduwà, started a campaign against the national anthem, which led to a committee being established to collect signatures as a petition.[6]
Following its readoption in 2024, the song was again criticised for the lack of consultation in passing the law designating it as the national anthem and for what was perceived to be misplaced priorities by the administration of president Bola Tinubu. Former education minister Oby Ezekwesili criticised the anthem's suitability given the presence of "pejorative" words like “Native Land” and “Tribes” and that she would continue to sing Arise, O Compatriots as the national anthem.[7][8] A video of political activist Aisha Yesufu circulated online where she refused to recite "Nigeria, We Hail Thee" as the new national anthem.[9]
Mohammed Tahir Monguno, chair of the parliamentary committee that pushed through the anthem's readoption, said that the change was "apt, timely and important", while Tinubu said the anthem symbolised Nigeria's diversity.[7][8]
References[edit]
- ^ "Nigeria's National Anthem Composer, Pa Ben Odiase, Dies". Gazelle News. 2013-06-12. Archived from the original on 2017-09-27. Retrieved 2013-07-08.
- ^ Akpan, Samuel (29 May 2024). "Tinubu signs bill returning old national anthem into law". The Cable. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b "Goodnight, Pa Benedict Odiase (1934 – 2013)". National Mirror. 2013-06-30. Archived from the original on 2013-07-04. Retrieved 2013-07-08.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "National Assembly Passes Bill to Change National Anthem from 'Arise O Compatriots' to 'Nigeria, We Hail Thee'". Arise News. 2024-05-29. Retrieved 2024-06-03.
- ^ "Nigeria's new-old national anthem sparks outrage after it is signed by Bola Tinubu". BBC News. 2024-05-29. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
- ^ Mphahlele, Ezekiel (1960). "Nigeria on the Eve of Independence". Africa Today. 7 (6): 4–6. JSTOR 4184128.
- ^ a b "Outrage as Nigeria changes national anthem". BBC. 29 May 2024. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
- ^ a b "Nigeria's new anthem, written by a Briton, sparks criticism after a contentious law is passed". Associated Press. 30 May 2024. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
- ^ Opejobi, Seun (2024-06-01). "I'll never sing old national anthem - Ezekwesili backs Aisha Yesufu, tackles Tinubu". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-06-01.
