"Nigeria We Hail Thee": Trending Video Shows Tinubu Never Liked 'Arise O Compatriots' Nat'l Anthem

• Federal lawmakers in Nigeria have passed a bill to change the national anthem from ‘Arise o compatriots’ to ‘Nigeria, we hail thee’
• On Wednesday, May 29, President Bola Tinubu signed the national anthem bill seeking to return the old national anthem ‘Nigeria, we hail thee’ into law
• A video surfaced showing Tinubu in an interview saying if he had his way, he would bring back Nigeria's old national anthem

Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering public journalism.

FCT, Abuja - A video has shown President Bola Tinubu speaking in favour of the old national anthem.

President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, May 29, signed the national anthem bill 2024, seeking to reinstate the old anthem, “Nigeria, we hail thee,” into law, shifting from the “Arise, o compatriots.”

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Legit.ng reports that the “Nigeria, we hail thee” anthem was used from 1960 when Nigeria gained independence until it was replaced by “Arise, o compatriots” in 1978.

On Wednesday, May 29, a clip emerged showing Tinubu speaking about the Nigerian anthem.

His words:

“We are one and one Nigeria. And we should be proud. In fact, if I have my way, I would bring back our old, first national anthem. That described us much more better. I don’t know why we changed it. Is it about service. Is it about diversity? Is it about commitment?”

Watch Tinubu's video below:

Legit.ng reports that several Nigerians have expressed outrage after the country's national anthem was changed with little consultation.

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“Nigeria we hail thee”: Why I reintroduce old national anthem, Tinubu speaks

Reacting online, some Nigerians said the country had more pressing problems such as insecurity, rising inflation and a foreign exchange crisis.

But Tahir Mongunu, chairman of the parliamentary committee which pushed the bill through, dismissed the widespread criticism, saying it was "apt, timely and important".

More to read on national anthem:

• Old national anthem: Actor Aki’s suggestion about Nigeria’s flag triggers reactions
• Reno Omokri fumes, asks Tinubu to revert to ‘Arise, o compatriots’ anthem: “Learn from Ghana”
• “We have bacterial infection”: Shehu Sani reacts as Tinubu signs old national anthem into law

Drama in Senate as Tinubu sings old anthem

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that President Tinubu led a joint sitting of the national assembly on Wednesday, May 29, as Nigeria returned to the old national anthem.

President Bola Tinubu joined the lawmakers and sang the old national anthem word for word.

Source: Legit.ng