Old National Anthem Resurrects as Tinubu Signs Bill into Law

Like a cat with nine lives, Nigeria, we hail thee, the old national anthem, composed by a British living in Nigeria, resurrected on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, 46 years after it was abolished by the General Olusegun Obasanjo military administration for having a strong link to Nigeria’s colonial past.

Wednesday morning, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assented to the bill that officially replaced Arise O’ Compatriot with the old one.

By the new law, the anthem, Nigeria, we hail thee, which was in use between Independence Day on October 1, 1960, and 1978, must now be sung at all official functions as a respect to the Fatherland, Nigeria.

The lyrics of the resurrected national anthem, Nigeria, we hail thee, were written by a British expatriate and lyricist, Lillian Jean Williams, who was living in Nigeria at the time, while  Frances Berda composed the music.

After 18 years of use, Nigeria, we hail thee was abolished for its strong link to Nigeria’s colonial past. And for what its critics referred to as its inability to adequately represent our nationalism, and resonate effectively with the nation’s vibrant and diverse cultural identity.

Also significant, the General Olusegun Obasanjo military government thought of a new national anthem in response to the earnest yearning by Nigerians for an instrument that would further strengthen the country’s fragile unity and foster a strong sense of national purpose especially after the bitter civil war of 1967 to January 1970 which claimed over a million lives.

Arise, O Compatriots was composed by a former police officer, Benedict Odiase, who served in the Nigeria Police Force from 1954 to 1992. He was also the Music Director of the Nigerian Police Band and the Mid-West State Police Band.

Here now are the lyrics of the reinstated 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, honoured,

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.