Will this better our lives?’ Nigerians fume as FG reinstates old national anthem

The Federal Government’s decision to revert to the old national anthem has elicited a range of reactions from citizens across the country.

On Wednesday, President Bola Tinubu signed the National Anthem Bill 2024 into law, officially reinstating “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” as the national anthem.

This decision marks a shift from the anthem “Arise, O Compatriots,” which has been in use since 1978.

Nigeria, We Hail Thee” was the country’s anthem from its independence in 1960 until 1978, when it was replaced by “Arise, O Compatriots.”

Meanwhile, the decision has not sat down with a lot of Nigerians who believe that a new national anthem is the least of the problems facing the country currently.

An X user Osi_Suave wrote, “There is nothing defensible as regards this national anthem thing.

It reeks of self-respect and national pride to ditch an anthem composed and written by a Nigerian for one written by a foreigner. There are pressing issues to deal with: Inflation, Security, FX market.”

Shehu Sani wrote, “Nigeria is facing serious economic and security challenges but it’s prioritising changing its national anthem.We have bacterial infection,we opted for Prada fragrance instead of Penicillin.”

@hackSultan: They’re selling 4 pepper for 500 naira but I should be learning a new national anthem…

@actionpastor: “Changing national anthem to old one is misplaced priority when economy and Nigerians are bleeding! Let them takes us back to when fuel was 65 naira per litre!”

@sheikhanalo: “Why exactly is reverting to the old national anthem such an important issue that it was hurriedly signed and approved? How does the old National anthem improve the lives of Nigerians!!!!”