The House of Representatives has passed the Bill to revert Nigeria back to the old national anthem.
The bill, which was sponsored by the Leader of the House, Hon. Julius Ihonvbere, was passed for second and third reading on the floor of the House at the plenary on Thursday.
The Bill states that the national anthem of the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” which is prescribed in the Schedule to this Bull.
It added that the national anthem of shall be a national symbol and sign of authority and all persons, individuals or corporate entities, shall respect the national anthem and preserve the dignity of the national anthem.
The Bill also states the national anthem shall be performed and sung on the following occasions: opening and closing ceremonies of Federal Executive Council, and State Executives Council meetings; opening and closing of sittings of Legislative Houses in Nigeria; Constitutional oath-swearing ceremonies; Flag-raising ceremonies, among others.
While leading the debate on the Bill, Ihonvbere said it was obvious that the current national anthem was not having the expected impact on Nigerians and such, it became pertinent to revert back to the old national anthem.
In his argument, the Minority Leader of the House, Hon. Kingsely Chinda said before the country adopted the current national anthem, out of all the suggestions sent in, five were picked and put together to give the country the national anthem.
He recalled that the old national anthem was authored and composed by Britons.
Chinda stated: “After independence, we tried as much as possible to “Nigerianise” our actions. So today, we are taking ourselves back to that old national anthem.
“Is this very important at this particular juncture in our national life? What value would it add to us as a nation? I think that these questions need to be answered. Nigerians are looking out to us for more fundamental issues that will cause proper change.
“What is the history that we are about to make? History that will change this country or history that will take us backwards? There are several questions that are left unanswered.
“So, I will stand this morning as a Nigerian or this afternoon as a Nigerian to say no to this Act. I urge the sponsor, the House leader, to withdraw this bill and perhaps take a second look at it, represent it if necessary. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.”
On his part, Hon. Ahmed Satomi queried the impact the change in national anthem would have on ordinary Nigerians who are grappling with the menace of banditry, kidnapping, insurgency, inflation, among others.
Speaking in favour of the Bill, Hon. Ahmed Jaha said that there was no need looking for a soothsayer to know it was time to ditch the current national anthem.
He said doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results was nothing but sanity.
In spite of the fact that the “Nays” have it after putting it to vote, the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Benjamin Kalu who presided over the plenary referred the Bill to the Committee of Whole.