The old national anthem, ‘Nigeria we hail thee’, made an official return yesterday.
It replaced ‘Arise, O Compatriots’, which has been sung at public functions since 1978.
The National Anthem Bill 2024 was passed by the House of Representatives last Thursday.
The Senate followed suit on Tuesday following Monday’s public hearing.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assent to it yesterday at a brief ceremony.
“Nigeria We Hail Thee” was adopted in 1960 as the first official national anthem.
It was written by Miss Lillian Jean Williams, a Briton, who was resident in Nigeria at the time of independence. Frances Berda composed the music.
In 1978, “Arise, O Compatriots,” was adopted and has been sung until yesterday.
Nigeria We Hail Thee was sung for the first time again yesterday during a joint session of the National Assembly when they hosted the President, who sang along.
Hailing the President for signing the bill, Deputy Speaker of the Senate, Benjamin Kalu said it would restore Nigeria’s lost glory.
