President Bola Tinubu has emphasized his priority of reinstating the old national anthem.
Tinubu conveyed this message during a meeting with the leadership of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) at the presidential villa in Abuja on Thursday.
On Wednesday, May 29, 2024, Tinubu signed the National Anthem “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” Bill 2024 into law.
The decision to revive the old anthem has sparked mixed reactions, with some critics deeming it as another instance of “misplaced priority” amidst the numerous challenges facing Nigerians.
But Tinubu told ACF leadership, “Let me allude to something that happened yesterday. The change of national anthem, ‘Nigeria, We Hail Thee’.
“Some people say, okay… say what? Is that your priority? It’s my priority. I agree with the National Assembly. If they make law, I’ve got to obey that law, or we disagree openly and close the chapter.”
According to Tinubu, Nigeria’s diversity should be protected and celebrated. He added that the country’s population should not be seen as a burden.
He then asked, “But the question of diversity. Who gave us the name Nigeria? Is it not Britain? Or somewhere? Have we changed our name? We are Nigerians. Our passport shows that.”
Tinubu further said, “As long as we are Nigerians and one family, we remain and protect our diversity and love one another as brothers and sisters.
“It is God Almighty that puts you in that particular place and makes you a member of that family. You have no control over it.
“When I came begging for votes, I didn’t say vote for me as a Yoruba man, I said vote for me as Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”