The former Minister of Education, Mrs Obiageli Ezekwesili, has said that she would not revert to the old national anthem, newly signed by President Bola Tinubu as the country’s new anthem.

Ezekwesili made this disclosure in a post on her X handle on Wednesday.

According to her, no one can suppress her right to dissent from what she described as an “obnoxious law” repugnant to all who are of good conscience in Nigeria.

The ex-minister said, “Let it be known to all and sundry that I, Obiageli “Oby” Ezekwesili, will, whenever asked to sing the Nigerian National Anthem, sing:

“1. Arise, O compatriots, Nigeria’s call obey

“To serve our fatherland

“With love and strength and faith

“The labour of our heroes past

“Shall never be in vain

“To serve with heart and might

“One nation bound in freedom, peace and unity.”

She added, “2. Oh God of creation, direct our noble cause


“Guide our leader’s right

“Help our youth the truth to know

“In love and honesty to grow

“And living just and true

“Great lofty heights attain

“To build a nation where peace and justice reign.

The PUNCH had earlier reported that the Senate and the House of Representatives rapidly passed the National Anthem Bill 2024, seeking to reinstate the old anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee.” (https://punchng.com/updated-senate-passes-bill-seeking-return-to-old-national-anthem/)

Leading the debate in the lower chamber on the general principles of the bill, the sponsor of the proposed law, Julius Ihonvbere, anchored his argument on the need for patriotism and nationalism, PUNCH Online earlier reported.

The 10th Senate passed the bill after reviewing a report by Tahir Monguno, the lawmaker representing Borno North Senatorial District and chair of the Judiciary Committee.

But many Nigerians on social media questioned the relevance of the move, wondering if it would help salvage the nation’s economy, being Nigeria’s biggest challenge at the moment.

Similarly, Ahmad Satomi, a lawmaker representing Jere Federal Constituency, Borno State, challenged the Green Chamber last week regarding the bill.

Satomi questioned the bill’s relevance to Nigeria’s pressing issues, sparking widespread discussion and debate.

Wetin concern me?

Those who initiated that bill and those who voted for should be recalled by their constituency. They don't know their priority

Of all the problems facing Nigeria, they wasted time debating on a bill which is of no use at the moment.

So how will the Nigeria athletes sing the old national anthems they are not familiar with.

We sometimes joke too much in Nigeria

When the next adminstration comes they'll just change it back to the new one. Or maybe ask Portable and Speed Darlington to write another one. Nonsense and it's ingredients!

helinues:
Those who initiated that bill and those who voted for should be recalled by their constituency. They don't know their priority

Of all the problems facing Nigeria, they wasted time debating on a bill which is of no use at the moment.

So how will the Nigeria athletes sing the old national anthems they are not familiar with.

We sometimes joke too much in Nigeria

And what about the president that gave assent to the bill?

This is a good case of “The voice is the voice of Jacob, yet the hands are the hands of Esau"

The way and manner the bill was quickly passed and signed to law has PBAT written all over it.

Ipob

It's kids in primary and secondary schools who mostly sing the national anthem.

Once all schools adopt 'Nigeria we hail thee...', within a generation (roughly 15 years), that anthem will take over and most people will not remember 'Arise o compatriots...'

Oby ezekwesili you are yet to condemn 30-05 2024 IPOB warning so that Nigerians can take you serious

Georgry:



And what about the president that gave assent to the bill?

This is a good case of “The voice is the voice of Jacob, yet the hands are the hands of Esau"

The way and manner the bill was quickly passed and signed to law has PBAT written all over it.

this woman is not even talking about those children that will not b allowed to write waec tomorrow due to sit at home

I guess it doesn’t concern her?

BATified2023:
this woman is not even talking about those children that will not b allowed to write waec tomorrow due to sit at home

I guess it doesn’t concern her?

Exactly. Some of her fellow ibos are calling her out for the hypocrisy.

BATified2023:
this woman is not even talking about those children that will not b allowed to write waec tomorrow due to sit at home

I guess it doesn’t concern her?

Of course she and her Husband Peter Obi are both hypocrites, I'm too mentally sophisticated to be an Obidient, i don't like your BAT or AA either and I have the right to criticise anybody i like.

This woman has not been updated about May 30. She and Obi and about 6 millions others will rather talk about the national anthem than IPOB sit at home