Minister urges NASS to consult widely on National Anthem Bill

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has urged the National Assembly to consult widely before passing the bill seeking the return of the old National Anthem.

The Minister said this on Monday at a public hearing by the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters in Abuja.

Fagbemi urged the two chambers of the National Assembly to allow input from Nigerians before passing a decision on the bill.

“Against the background of the foregoing, I am of the considered opinion that the revered issue of choice of a national anthem should not come into being only by legislative fiat or presidential proclamation alone.

“It is not out of place for Nigeria to be guided by the process of evolution of a national anthem in other jurisdictions.

“Consequently, it is my considered view that the decision to change Nigeria’s national anthem, whether by replacing it with the old one or a new one, should be subjected to a wider process of citizenship.

“There should be participation through zonal public hearings, resolutions of the Federal Executive Council, Council of State, National and State Assemblies, etcetera,” he said.

He said that for most African countries, the national anthem symbolised the end of colonialism; hence, former British colonies jettisoned God Bless the Queen to adopt their home-made national anthems, which were all written by their own citizens.

“I appreciate the opportunity extended to me to make observations on the very salient issue of the reversion of the national anthem to the previous one, which was adopted in 1960, following independence from the United Kingdom.

“I would like to observe that it is generally accepted that a national anthem is considered a major symbol of national identity and culture,” he said.

Fagbemi said that a national anthem was meant to reflect the people’s hopes, values, and history.

“A national anthem is expected to enjoy universal acceptance and veneration among the citizens for it to attain the status of an official song that commands respect, patriotism, and national consciousness,” he said.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Malam Mohammed Idris, recommended that the scope be expanded to include a robust issue of national identity rather than limiting it to the change of the national anthem.

Idris, represented by the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Lanre Issa-Onilu, said that some lines in the old national anthem had no complete meaning.

“The issue of the national anthem is just a sub-sect. What we should be looking at is the National Identity Act.”

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), supported the call to replace the current "Arise O Compatriots” National Anthem with the ”Nigeria, We Hail Thee” the country started with in October 1960.

He said such a move was long overdue since the National Anthem adopted in 1978 does not have the required gravitas and is not inspirational enough to ignite the passion and zeal for nationhood among Nigerians.

Ozekhome expressed delight that the motion to return to the old National Anthem, which he moved at the 2014 National Conference, was becoming a reality after a decade.

The Chairman of the Committee, Sen. Muhammad Monguno, said the National Assembly had gone on with its plans to pass the bill.

“The bill has passed first and second readings at the Senate, and the public hearing was advertised. Those who are not here have probably agreed with the intention of the proposed legislation,” he said.