Ezekwesili Vows Not To Sing Newly Adopted National Anthem, ‘Nigeria, We Hail Thee’

Flagnews earlier on Wednesday reported that President Bola Tinubu had given his assent to the National Anthem Bill 2024, reverting the country to the old national anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee”.

A former Minister of Education and co-convener of the #BringBackOurGirls movement, Dr Oby Ezekwesili, has said she will never sing the newly adopted national anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee.”

Flagnews earlier on Wednesday reported that President Bola Tinubu had given his assent to the National Anthem Bill 2024, reverting the country to the old national anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee”.

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, revealed this on Wednesday at a joint session of the National Assembly marking the Silver Jubilee of Nigeria’s 4th Republic.

Akpabio said the sitting was primarily to launch the new national anthem, explaining that the President would not be making a speech because he had to leave to launch the Abuja metro line.

The Senate and the House of Representatives had previously passed the bill at separate sittings.

However, Ezekwesili in a statement posted on her X account on Wednesday, said she cannot do away with the old National Anthem. 

She asserted that no one can suppress her right to dissent an obnoxious “law” that is repugnant to all that is of good conscience in Nigeria. 

She wrote, “Let it be known to all and sundry that I, Obiageli “Oby” Ezekwesili shall whenever asked to sing the Nigerian National Anthem sing: 

“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.

“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. 

“This is my own National Anthem and let it be known that no one can suppress my right to dissent an obnoxious “law” that is repugnant to all that is of good conscience in Nigeria.”

“Whatever else is #NotMyNationalAnthem,” she added.