NATIONAL • PROGRAMMES

Some Key Facts About Nigeria’s First National Anthem

1 month ago
by Bunmi Abdulraheem
Written by Bunmi Abdulraheem

 

President Bola Tinubu assented to the bill on Wednesday that reverts Nigeria to the Old National Anthem, ”Nigeria, We Hail Thee.”

Here are some facts about the new national anthem:

“Nigeria, We Hail Thee” was adopted as the national anthem in 1960, upon Nigeria’s independence from British colonial rule.

Composition: The lyrics of “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” were written by Lillian Jean Williams, a British expatriate living in Nigeria.

The music was composed by Frances Berda, also a British expatriate.

Content and Theme: The anthem reflects Nigeria’s aspirations and patriotic spirit post-independence. It praises the country, calls for unity, and emphasizes the importance of national loyalty and progress.

Lyrics:  The lyrics are as follows:

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.

Replacement: In 1978, during the military regime of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the anthem was replaced by a new national anthem, “Arise, O Compatriots.”

The lyrics were created by five Nigerians: P. O. Aderibigbe, John A. Ilechukwu, Dr. Sota Omoigui, Eme Etim Akpan and B.A. Ogunnaike.

And now, 46 years later, President Bola Tinubu signed the National Anthem Bill, which brought the old national anthem ‘Nigeria, We hail thee’ into law, coinciding with his one year in office.

RN

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