Nigeria Reinstates Original National Anthem, ‘Nigeria, We Hail Thee’
Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed a bill restoring the country's original independence anthem, 'Nigeria, We Hail Thee'. The anthem, written by British expatriate Lillian Jean Williams, will replace 'Arise O' Compatriots', which has been in use since 1978. President Tinubu has long been a proponent of reinstating the original anthem, arguing that it better represents Nigeria's values. In a past interview, he stated, "If I had my way, I would bring back our first national anthem... It described us much better. I don't know why we changed it. It's about service, diversity, and commitment to value our nation-building." https://twitter.com/afropolitainmag/status/1796302139670647079?s=46&t=DzdMgcAjlH4pEvQAl2TuQw The move has received mixed reactions from Nigerians, with some expressing nostalgia for the old anthem and others criticizing the decision as a step backward into the country's colonial past. Afropop singer Teni took to her X handle to […]