Senate President Godswill Akpabio recently announced that the 10th National Assembly reached an agreement with President Bola Tinubu’s executive branch to revert to the old national anthem as part of their efforts to rebuild Nigeria.
Akpabio made this statement during the 2024 Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Lagos State. He called on Nigerian lawyers and legal professionals to embrace their roles as agents of positive change in the country.
Akpabio explained, “We are working diligently to establish a strong legal framework that will support the aspirations of all Nigerians. We firmly believe that there is no stain on our country that cannot be removed if we unite in brotherhood. This is the reason we decided to return to the old national anthem, which emphasizes that despite differences in tribes, languages, or professions, we are united in brotherhood.”
He further elaborated that the decision to go back to the old anthem was motivated by a desire to rebuild the future of Nigeria. He stressed the importance of unity, saying, “We returned to the old anthem because we want to rebuild the future of this country, remembering that we may come from different tribes, backgrounds, ethnic groups, and speak different languages, but in brotherhood, we stand together.”
Akpabio also spoke about his own journey into politics, noting that he entered with a personal dream that coincidentally aligns with the collective aspirations to rebuild both his state and the nation. He stated, “With that dream, I was able to transform Akwa Ibom State. My people can attest to this transformation, which became widely recognized as an uncommon transformation.”
He concluded by expressing confidence in the potential for national renewal, saying, “Together with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we can rebuild Nigeria. This is the formula: if our shared dream can spark even a small sense of aspiration among those gathered here today, it will mark a pivotal moment for Nigeria.
The ‘Renewed Hope’ program will undoubtedly be a success.”
