A bill seeking to adopt Nigeria’s old national anthem has passed the second reading at the House of Representatives.
If passed into law, the anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” would replace the current one, “Arise, O Compatriots”.
Although there are arguments and opposition to the old anthem for having colonial tags, the bill reintroducing it however easily scaled through at the National Assembly due to the belief that it would foster peace and unity.
The anthem which was written by Lillian Jean William in 1959 was adopted in October 1, 1960 and later replaced with “Arise, O Compatriots” in 1978.
LEADERSHIP presents the full lyrics of Nigeria’s Old 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 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.
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