Fagbemi: Decision to change national anthem should be subjected to wider process

Lateef Fagbemi, the attorney-general of the federation (AGF) and minister of justice, says the decision to change the country’s national anthem should be subjected to a wider process.

Fagbemi spoke in Abuja on Monday when he appeared before the senate committee on the judiciary.

Last week, the national assembly began the process of changing the national anthem to the old one.

While the house of representatives passed the bill after the third reading, the senate passed it for the second reading, which prompted the public hearing.

The AGF said the choice of a national anthem should not be by only legislative process or presidential proclamation alone.

“It is not out of place for Nigeria to be guided by the process of evolution of a national anthem in other jurisdictions,” Fagbemi said.

“For most African countries, the national anthem symbolizes the end of colonialism. Hence, former British colonies jettisoned ‘God Bless the Queen’ to adopt their home-made national anthems which were all notably written by their own citizens.

“It is my considered view that the decision to change Nigeria’s national anthem, whether by replacing it with the old one or a new one, should be subjected to a wider process of citizen participation through zonal public hearings, resolutions of the federal executive council, council of state, national and state assemblies, etc.

“The outcome of this process is bound to be a true reflection of the wishes of the generality or majority of Nigerians.”