The National Anthem Bill 2024 has been enacted into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The bill passed its first and second reading, in the House of Representatives and Senate respectively.

With this new law, the national anthem “Arise, O Compatriots” has now been replaced with the previous “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” which was adopted when Nigeria gained independence on October 1, 1960. The lyrics were written by Lillian Jean Williams, a British expatriate who lived in Nigeria, while Frances Berda composed the music.

In a joint session of the National Assembly today, marking the Silver Jubilee Of Nigeria’s 4th Republic and the first anniversary of Bola Tinubu’s administration, the representatives and senators sang “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” after it was signed into law.

The president, who later joined the joint session, confirmed ‘Nigeria, We Hail Thee’ as the “latest national anthem”. The now, previous, national anthem, was adopted in 1978 during Olusegun Obasanjo’s military administration. It combines lyrics from a national contest set to music by the Nigerian police band. Five people created the Nigerian national anthem lyrics: P. O. Aderibigbe, John A. Ilechukwu, Sota Omoigui, Eme Tim Akpan and B.A. Ogunnaike.

During the debate for the bill, the lawmakers argued that the old anthem evoked more emotional connections with the Nigerian people. They also noted that the current anthem is a product of a military junta and does not reflect the aspirations of Nigerians.

The sponsor of the proposed law, Julius Ihonvbere, anchored his argument on the need for patriotism and nationalism, saying, “I believe that the old anthem encompasses. I have taken time to look at the other anthems (the old and the new) we have been involved in the struggle to make Nigeria a better place. I believe that the old Anthem, encompasses, contains, and exudes the kind of energy, resourcefulness and a sense of vision that I believe is good for Nigeria. Mr Speaker the old Anthem not only begins by telling us of the pride to serve our nation which is what is required right now when people are “Japa-ing” left, right and centre. But it goes on to assert the sovereignty of our motherland.”

Meanwhile, Nigerians have expressed their opinions on the new anthem. See some reactions on X (formerly Twitter) below:

See the lyrics of the latest national anthem “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” below:

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.

More On: Nigerian Senate House of Representives Nigeria national anthem

Poundsnova.art.blog (TNG) learnt that the late medical student went missing on Tuesday after attending her chemistry practical, but was later found, inside a gutter beside the stadium, located inside the campus, close to Eni Njoku Hostel, occupied by male students on Friday.

It was alleged that the corpse of the first year student of the Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences of the university, identified as Favour, was covered by flood debris, implying that the student might have been washed away by flood.

“She was found dead on Friday,” according to a business owner inside the stadium. “The corpse was already decomposing. Her remains were evacuated to the UNN Medical Centre in the morning.”

However, a student of the Faculty of Physical Science of the university, who identified himself as Paul, said, “She must have been killed by Yahoo Boys who are rampaging Nsukka now. They are exploiting our female students at Nsukka because these boys have too much money. They might have killed her, and used the gutter to cover their nefarious act. Our female students should learn that these boys driving exotic vehicles are looking for them for money rituals.”

A pastor, James Itodo, said, “This is the end time we are talking about. This first year student might have fallen the victim of these boys who make money at all cost. I wouldn’t know what killed her, but where her corpse was found doesn’t convince me that flood caused her death. Her killers might have dumped her there as a cover-up.”

The university is still yet to make an official statement on the dead as at the filing of this report.

However, the university security department have confirmed that some vital parts of the deceased were removed.

A security staff member of the university, on condition of anonymity, said, “Some vital parts of her body were cut off. So the corpse might have been kept in the gutter before the rainfall that flooded the corpse. But from every indication, her death won’t be unconnected with ritual killers.”