SaharaReporters earlier on Wednesday reported that President Bola Tinubu had given his assent to the National Anthem Bill 2024, reverting the country to the old national anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee”.
A former Minister of Education and co-convener of the #BringBackOurGirls movement, Dr Oby Ezekwesili, has said she will never sing the newly adopted national anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee.”
SaharaReporters earlier on Wednesday reported that President Bola Tinubu had given his assent to the National Anthem Bill 2024, reverting the country to the old national anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee”.
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, revealed this on Wednesday at a joint session of the National Assembly marking the Silver Jubilee of Nigeria’s 4th Republic.
Akpabio said the sitting was primarily to launch the new national anthem, explaining that the President would not be making a speech because he had to leave to launch the Abuja metro line.
The Senate and the House of Representatives had previously passed the bill at separate sittings.
However, Ezekwesili in a statement posted on her X account on Wednesday, said she cannot do away with the old National Anthem.
She asserted that no one can suppress her right to dissent an obnoxious “law” that is repugnant to all that is of good conscience in Nigeria.
She wrote, “Let it be known to all and sundry that I, Obiageli “Oby” Ezekwesili shall whenever asked to sing the Nigerian National Anthem sing:
“Arise, O compatriots, Nigeria’s call obey
To serve our fatherland
With love and strength and faith
The labour of our heroes past
Shall never be in vain
To serve with heart and might
One nation bound in freedom, peace and unity.
“Oh God of creation, direct our noble cause
Guide our leader’s right
Help our youth the truth to know
In love and honesty to grow
And living just and true
Great lofty heights attain
To build a nation where peace and justice reign.
“This is my own National Anthem and let it be known that no one can suppress my right to dissent an obnoxious “law” that is repugnant to all that is of good conscience in Nigeria.”
“Whatever else is #NotMyNationalAnthem,” she added.
