On Thursday, the House of Representatives approved a bill suggesting a return to reciting the previous National Anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” in the country.
Sponsored by the House leader, Hon Julius Ihonvbere, the bill underwent second and third readings on the House floor during plenary in Abuja.
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The old anthem “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” was replaced with the current one “Arise, O Compatriots” in 1978.
The Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, however, opposed the bill, saying the old anthem has a colonial tag which was the reason for the new anthem.
He highlighted that the old anthem was authored and composed by Britons. Mr Chinda questioned the importance of the anthem change at a time of more important challenges in the country.
However, the bill was given expedited passage and subsequently passed by the lawmakers.