“Nigeria, We Hail Thee” was the national anthem of Nigeria from its independence in 1960 until 1978. The anthem was composed by Lillian Jean Williams, an English expatriate living in Nigeria, with lyrics written by a British expatriate, Frances Berda. The anthem emphasized unity, peace, and the collective pride of Nigerians in their newly independent nation, reflecting the spirit of the country’s diverse yet united populace.
In 1978, the anthem was replaced by “Arise, O Compatriots,” which was seen as more reflective of Nigeria’s evolving identity and aspirations. The new anthem was selected through a national competition, with the music composed by the Nigerian Police Band under the directorship of Benedict E. Odiase.
In a significant cultural move, President Bola Tinubu reinstated “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” as the national anthem in 2024. This decision marks a return to the anthem that encapsulated the early hopes and dreams of Nigeria as a newly independent nation. The reinstatement has been seen as a gesture to reconnect with the country’s foundational values and the unity that was emphasized at the time of independence.
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Nigeria, We Hail Thee lyrics : Nigeria 2024 national anthem.
below is the lyrics of the old Nigeria national anthem which is now reinstated as the official Nigeria national anthem again by President Bola Tinubu
Nigeria we hail thee,
Our own dear native land,
Though tribe and tongue 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 may be blessed.
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President Tinubu’s decision to bring back the old anthem has sparked discussions and reflections on Nigeria’s journey since independence, its cultural heritage, and the values that continue to define the nation. The reinstated anthem serves as a reminder of the aspirations that guided Nigeria’s founding fathers and the ongoing quest for unity and progress
how much did Nigeria government spend in changing the national anthem.
the director-general of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Lanre Issa-Onilu, has addressed rumors circulating on social media about the Nigerian government spending N814 billion on promoting the new national anthem. Issa-Onilu clarified that the federal government has not allocated any funds for this purpose. During a presentation in Abuja, he emphasized that the NOA, responsible for national symbols, has not received any money for the anthem. He assured that no funds have been spent or allocated for the new national anthem and that the agency continues its operations without any such allocation