The lead partner at SBM Intelligence, Cheta Nwanze has described the change of Nigeria’s national anthem as a waste of time.
Chronicle NG reports that President Bola Tinubu signed a bill on Wednesday to return to a national song penned by a British expatriate and adopted at independence, which some criticised as a deceitful distraction from the country’s increasing economic difficulties.
“We Hail Thee” will now be used instead of “Arise, O’ Compatriots”. The bill submitted last Thursday was adopted quickly and without legislative debate.
“It is a waste of time,” Cheta Nwanze, lead partner at SBM Intelligence, told Reuters. “What is more important are inflation and security problems, that is what the government should squarely be looking at.”
Nigeria’s economy has deteriorated during Tinubu’s first year in office, which he commemorated on Wednesday by addressing the National Assembly, with inflation reaching a 28-year high of 33.20%.
The independence hymn was banned in 1978 by Olusegun Obasanjo, a military head of state at the time, without providing an official reason, but it was widely assumed that it was written by a Briton during British colonial control.
Some Nigerians are sceptical about the decision, which comes as the country struggles with an economic crisis and deteriorating security.
See lyrics below:
‘Nigeria, We Hail Thee’
Nigeria we hail thee
Our own dear native land
Though tribes and tongue may differ
In brotherhood we stand
Nigerians all, are proud to serve
Our sovereign Motherland.
Our flag shall be a symbol
That truth and justice reign
In peace or battle honour’d,
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 shall be blessed.
