Akpabio Advocates for National Anthem to Tackle Banditry

Senate President Godwin Akpabio

Reintroducing Anthem, according to Akpabio, could have addressed banditry

Senate President Akpabio believes that reviving the 1960 national anthem could have addressed security issues in Nigeria, promoting a sense of community and togetherness among Nigerians.

Senate President Godwin Akpabio claims that if the previously introduced national anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” had remained in place, it would have addressed issues of insecurity and banditry.

Speaking on Tuesday, Akpabio was in Abuja visiting the Nigeria Institute of Legislative and Democratic Studies.

Following Nigeria's independence, the anthem was first played on October 1, 1960; however, in 1978, “Arise, O Compatriots” took its place.

The measure restoring the 1960 anthem was swiftly passed by the senate and house of representatives, and President Bola Tinubu signed it on May 29.

Citizens criticized the development sharply, arguing that before going back to a “colonial” chorale, requests for wider participation should have been made.

Akpabio disagreed with some who said that the anthem's reintroduction was a sign of colonialism.

“A lot of people are not aware that there was a panel set up and made up of Nigerians to receive input from all over the world in 1959,” the president of the Senate stated.

“So when people are saying we are bringing in the colonial anthem, they need to look into the history of 'Nigeria; we hail thee.”

According to Tinubu, the revived anthem symbolizes the variety and unity of the nation.

Echoing the president, Akpabio called the revived anthem's legalization “an impactful bill” that might address the nation's security issues.

“If we had kept to that anthem, we probably would not have banditry today in Nigeria because if you take your neighbour as your brother, you will not want to kill him,” he stated.