‘New anthem evokes a sense of pride’

Recently, President Bola Tinubu reintroduced the old national anthem, “Nigeria we hail thee” composed by our colonial masters. This has generated heated debate among citizens. Some have been against while others are for it. Our correspondents, Hosea Nyamlong and Jidauna Daring, went to town to find out how people feel about the anthem. Excerpts:

The Nigeria anthem is a pledge that citizens should understand and embrace it   as our own,with love and sense of patriotism when reciting it.

I remember in 1958 when I was in primary two, I could recite the anthem off heart, because of our teachers’ commitment to  ensure that we recited the anthem with dignity and pride.

Well,the re-introduced national anthem, to me, is a welcomed development, because it is meaningful. But what will make the difference is that we have to live exemplary lives as demanded by the anthem of the country.

I am in love with the re-introduced national anthem more than the  “Arise O compatriots ” Today,I believe there are many students that are not aware that our first national anthem “Nigeria we hail thee” was written by our colonial masters (Lillian Jean William).

To  sustain the re-introduced national anthem,it behooves on our leaders to, as a matter of respecting our country, live and lead by example. From the President down to councilors, they must be able to  recite the anthem individually, not in unison,without any mistakes.

When we respect our national anthem and abide by what it demands, Nigeria will change. However, I hope after the tenure of this administration,the next government will not come and change the anthem again. Our country should be respected when it comes to anything that is of national importance to citizens,not only our leaders while in office.

In view of this, the love of our country should be above anything other consideration. This love should be the love for our  national anthem.

My final words to Nigerians is that we should look at the national anthem based on its wordings and not just mere recitation,the earlier we do,the better for our country.

Haruna Bulus Majak, retired principal Government College Jos

The anthems lyrics evoke a sense of national pride, unity, and hope for a brighter future. This anthem also symbolises honouring the labour of our heroes past, their sacrifices and contributions to Nigeria’s growth and also expressing determination to build a better future as we strive to make a commitment to work towards a united and prosperous Nigeria. Our flag, our pride, our hope symbolising national unity and aspirations. Overall, the Nigerian national anthem represents a call to unity, service, and collective progress, reflecting the country’s history, values, and aspirations.

The re-introduction of the old national anthem is indeed, be a powerful symbol of unity and national pride. The lyrics emphasize the importance of coming together as a nation, promoting justice, and celebrating national identity. By restoring the original anthem, Nigerians can reconnect with their rich cultural heritage and history, fostering a sense of shared values and traditions.

This move can be seen as a step towards healing and reconciliation, acknowledging the country’s past and its journey towards a more united and prosperous future. The symbolic gesture of reintroducing the original anthem can help to bridge divides and promote a sense of belonging among all Nigerians, regardless of their ethnic, religious, or cultural backgrounds.

As our national anthem is reintroduced, remember that unity, justice, and national pride are the foundation upon which our great nation is built. Let this iconic song be a rallying cry for togetherness, a celebration of our rich heritage, and a beacon of hope for a brighter future as a nation.

To embrace this symbol of national identity and let it inspire us to work towards a more united, prosperous, and just society for all. I want Nigerians to sing our anthem with pride, honour our history, and strive for a Nigeria where every citizen has a voice and a chance to thrive.

I believe that this anthem will  be a reminder to us that together, we can achieve greatness and build a Nigeria that is a shining example for generations to come.

Jimoh Muyideen Lawal, resident of Abuja FCT, Diamond Court Estate

Well, in our opinion, as  students, the recently abolished national anthem and the re-introduction of  the first national anthem, was not necessary. This is because there are many other issues that needs to be addressed. However, we are not in any way condemning such development.

The abolished anthem for us it was more  inspirational, as it was also a  call on  Nigerian citizen. With this call, citizens are expected to obey the national call to service of building our nation.

Our differences does not matter, but what matters most is our unity as we work towards contributing to the progress of our country.

We want a better and peaceful Nigeria, the government on its part should work on how to better the economy of the country, where citizens would enjoy the dividends of democracy. As for the re-introduced anthem, it is also laden with meaning to us as a nation “where we hail “.

Fatima Mohammed and Anumba Ekene,students of St.Paul’s  Academy Jos