NASS Passes Old National Anthem Bill

National Assembly has passed a bill changing the current National Anthem to the old one, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee.”

The Senate toed the line of the House of Representatives and passed a “Bill to change the current National Anthem”, ‘Arise O Compatriots’ to the old anthem, ‘Nigeria, We Hail Thee.”

The proposed legislation is titled: “National Anthem Bill, 2024”

The bill passed third reading after the upper chamber considered the report of its Committees on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, and Federal Character, and Intergovernmental Affairs on Tuesday.

The attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), had at a public hearing on the matter on Monday, advised the federal lawmakers to engage in wider consultations before passing the bill.

The bill was read for the first and second time Thursday last week at both chambers.

It received an accelerated hearing at the lower house as it was read for the first, second and third time.

The bill however passed second reading at the Senate and the presiding officer, Godswill Akpabio, referred it to its Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters for further legislative actions.

The bill will be transmitted to President Bola Tinubu for assent.

If assented to by Tinubu, it will be the first time Nigeria’s National Anthem will be given legal backing.