The Senate has initiated a public hearing on a proposed Act to establish the National Anthem of Nigeria and address related issues. Senate leader Opeyemi Bamidele, who represented the President of the Senate at the hearing, indicated that the second stanza of the current national anthem should serve as the national prayer.
He also mentioned that further consultation might be necessary if deemed appropriate.
Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, contributed to the discussion by emphasizing that any amendment should not be imposed solely through legislative authority but should involve broader consultation.
He stressed that while reverting to the previous anthem is not unreasonable, it should reflect the collective will of Nigerians through an inclusive process.
Senior Advocate of Nigeria Mike Ozekhome supported the change, highlighting a line from the former anthem that addresses oppression. He agreed with the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency that changing the national anthem is long overdue.
Ozekhome recalled proposing this change a decade ago at the 2014 National Conference, where the motion was debated and supported by 490 delegates.
Ozekhome also criticized the current Nigerian flag, describing it as too bland and uninspiring compared to those of the United States and South Africa.
He further suggested that the name ‘Nigeria’ should be changed, arguing that it carries a burden, and proposed the new name ‘Iregime’. He cited examples from other countries, including the Netherlands, Pakistan, France, Russia, Turkey, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, where similar changes have been made, asserting that such a change is crucial for Nigeria’s development.
Ozekhome argued for a national referendum to address the country’s issues comprehensively, stating that minor constitutional amendments would not suffice.
Recently, a bill proposing a return to Nigeria’s old national anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” passed a second reading in the Senate.
The bill has been forwarded to the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters for further review, with a report expected in two weeks. The House of Representatives has already passed the bill.
