Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has claimed that “Nigeria, We Hail Thee”, the reintroduced old national anthem could have prevented banditry if it were retained since 1960.
Akpabio said this on Tuesday, during a visit to the Nigeria Institute of Legislative and Democratic Studies in Abuja.
“Nigeria we hail thee” anthem was introduced on October 1, 1960, after Nigeria gained independence, but was replaced with “Arise, O Compatriots” in 1978.
However, it was brought back last month, after president Bola Tinubu signed the bill on May 29, reintroducing the 1960 anthem. The House of Representatives and Senate had speedily passed the bill.
The decision and speed at which it was done sparked criticism from Nigerians, both at home and abroad. Some said it was a reminder of colonialism, while others believed the country was facing much bigger problems that required attention.
However, Akpabio insisted that Nigerians were involved in the composure of the anthem in 1959.
“A lot of people are not aware that there was a panel set up and made up of Nigerians to receive input from all over the world in 1959”, the senate president said.
“So when people are saying we are bringing in the colonial anthem, they need to look into the history of ‘Nigeria; we hail thee”.
Tinubu claimed the reintroduced anthem reflects the country’s diversity and unity.
Reechoing the president’s assertion, Akpabio described the signing into law of the reintroduced anthem as “an impactful bill”.
“If we had kept to that anthem, we probably would not have banditry today in Nigeria because if you take your neighbour as your brother, you will not want to kill him,” he added.
Akpabio maintained that the reintroduced anthem would foster unity and love among Nigerians.
