The president of Nigeria His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed a new national anthem into law to mark twenty-five years of uninterrupted democracy in Nigeria.
Recall that the National Assembly passed the bill returning the old national Anthem after wider deliberations among the members of the National Assembly. The bill was passed by the Senate and presented to the President for assent which he signed into law on Wednesday 29th May 2024 marking equally the one year in office of the president, some Governors, and the legislative arm of the government.
The passing of the new national anthem got criticism as some people said that it should not be the major priority while others said that the old national anthem which is now the official national anthem reflects true patriotism and zeal to preserve the unity of Nigeria.
The new national anthem was in existence during the first republic and was abolished when the military took over and there is now a shift from the national anthem brought by the military to the ones sung first before the Military took power from the civilians.
Below is the Stanza/ lyrics of the new national anthem
Nigeria we hail thee
Our own dear native land
Though tribes and tongues may differ
In brotherhood we stand
Nigerians all, are proud to serve
Our sovereign Motherland.
Our flag shall be a symbol
That truth and justice reign
In peace or battle honoured,
And this we count as gain,
To hand on to our children
A banner without stain.
O God of all creation
Grant this our one request.
Help us to build a nation
Where no man is oppressed
And so with peace and plenty
Nigeria shall be blessed.