Ezekwesili Fumes Over Change In National Anthem, Says She Won’t Revert

By Akinwale Kasali

Obiageli Ezekwesili, former Minister of Education under former President Olusegeun Obasanjo administration has lamented the reverting of Nigeria to the old National Anthem. She described it as obnoxious.

She said that the just signed Old Anthem Bill by President Bola Tinubu as the country’s new Anthem is suppressing  her right to dissent, as she  described the as an “obnoxious law repugnant to all who are of good conscience in Nigeria.”

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

The former 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.”

It would be recalled that both arms of the National Assembly, (the Senate and the House of Representatives), had passed the National Anthem Bill 2024, seeking to reinstate the old anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee.” It was immediately assented to by President Bola Tinubu as the New Anthem.

The Bill on the changing of the National Anthem to the Old One generated controversy on the floor of the House of Representatives, as the promoter of the Bill, Julius Ihonvbere, anchored his argument on the need for patriotism and nationalism.

The Senator Godswill Akpabio-led 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.