Former Minister of Education, Obiageli Ezekwesili has taken a firm stand against the reintroduced old national anthem, ‘Nigeria we hail thee’, vowing never to recite it.
In response to the passage and signing of the bill reintroducing the former anthem, titled ‘Nigeria, We Hail Thee’, Ezekwesili expressed her dissent, labeling the law as “repugnant” and “obnoxious”.
“I will whenever asked to sing the Nigerian National Anthem sing: ‘Arise, O compatriots, Nigeria’s call obey’,” she affirmed, asserting her allegiance to the former anthem.
Ezekwesili’s vocal opposition comes amidst a wave of controversy surrounding the reintroduction of the old anthem, which had been in use for 46 years before being replaced in 1978 by ‘Arise, O Compatriots’.
While the bill for the reintroduction of the old anthem was swiftly passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate, critics have raised concerns about the lack of broad consultation on the matter.
President Bola Tinubu, who signed the bill into law, praised the reintroduced anthem for its reflection of the country’s diversity and unity.
As debates on the national anthem continue to unfold, Ezekwesili’s stance serves as a reminder of the diverse perspectives shaping Nigeria’s national identity and the ongoing dialogue surrounding symbols of unity and patriotism.