From Fred Itua and Kenneth Udeh, Abuja
The Senate has passed for a second reading, a bill to replace the current National Anthem with the former one ‘Nigeria, We Hail Thee’, which was adopted as the country’s first national anthem on October 1, 1960, but was dropped in 1978 by the Olusegun Obasanjo military regime.
The bill was introduced during Thursday’s plenary by Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele and was quickly passed for first, second and third readings within minutes.
Before its passage, the senators held an executive session for almost two hours, presided over by the President of the Senate, Senate Godswill Akpabio.
It was learnt that during the secret meeting, senators Danjuma Goje and Adams Oshiomhole advocated for a public hearing before the amendment, but the Senate leadership objected to the new anthem being dropped for the former one, hence the reason the bill needed to pass 1st and 2nd readings.
At the commencement of the plenary, Bamidele urged the Senate to support the bill arguing that the current anthem was forced on Nigerians by the Military regime.
He said: “You will also agree with me that those who were around in the 60s and the late 70s, would attest to the fact that the Anthem played quite a significant and crucial role in shaping Nigeria’s national identity and unity, as well as engendered a high sense of value and personal belonging amongst the citizenry.
“It was symbolic of Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage and nationhood. In retrospect, the Anthem served as a regular and constant reminder of our journey, as a nation and provoked feelings of nostalgia and fond memories of the country’s early years.
“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, And this we count as gain, To hand on to our children A banner without stain.
“O God of 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.”
He added that the old National Anthem, as a symbol of national pride, has provided insights for patriotic reflections on our aspirations, values and hope for a united and prosperous Nigeria.
Bamidele reminded the Senate of the former National Anthem which reads thus: ‘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, And this we count as gain, To hand on to our children A banner without stain.
“O God of 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.’
The Bill received the support of all the Senators who contributed. Asuquo Ekpenyong expressed that the old National Anthem resonates more with the aspirations of all Nigerians calling for the bill to be passed for the second time. He said that the bill will afford Nigerians the opportunity to make their input at the public hearing.
He said: “The former Anthem resonates more with our current aspirations. I will call on the Senate to do wider deeper consultations, engage the people.”
Akpabio subjected the bill to a voice vote and it received a loud chorus of “Ayes” in favour of its second reading.
Thereafter, Akpabio referred the bill to the Committee on Federal Character and Intergovernmental Affairs and to report back as soon as possible.