The Nigerian Senate has commenced a public hearing on an Act to establish the National Anthem of Nigeria and related matters.
Representing the President of the Senate at the hearing, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele stated that the second stanza of the current national anthem is proposed to become the national prayer. He noted that further consultation may be necessary if deemed required.
Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, emphasized that any amendment should not be solely through legislative action but should involve broader consultation. He underscored the importance of ensuring that changes reflect the collective wishes of all Nigerians.
Senior Advocate of Nigeria Mike Ozekhome supported the idea, pointing out that the previous anthem addresses issues of oppression. He, along with the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency, argued that changing the anthem is overdue. Ozekhome recalled proposing this change at the 2014 CONFAB, where it received broad support from the 490 delegates.
Ozekhome also criticized the current national flag, calling it uninspiring compared to those of the US and South Africa. He suggested renaming the country from ‘Nigeria’ to ‘Iregime,’ citing similar changes in other nations such as The Netherlands, Pakistan, and Zambia, among others. He argued that these changes are essential for development.
To comprehensively address Nigeria’s challenges, Ozekhome advocated for a national referendum, asserting that minor constitutional amendments would not suffice.
Last week, a bill proposing a return to the old national anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” passed its second reading in the Senate. The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters, which is expected to report back in two weeks. The House of Representatives has already passed the bill.
