Like reps, senate passes bill to reintroduce old national anthem

The senate has passed for third reading a bill seeking to reintroduce the old national anthem.

The upper legislative chamber passed the bill after considering a report by Tahir Monguno, chair of the judiciary committee.

The old national anthem is themed: ‘Nigeria, We Hail Thee’.

While presenting his report, Monguno said his committee disagreed with the position of Lateef Fagbemi, attorney-general of the federation (AGF), that the process to change the anthem should be subjected to a wider process.

“The proposed bill is important,” the Borno senator said.

Thereafter, the senate considered clauses of the bill and passed it.

Last week, the house of representatives speedily passed the bill, but it only scaled second reading in the senate.

Majority of the lawmakers in both chambers of the national assembly spoke in favour of the bill when they debated on its general principles.

While debating the bill last week, Victor Umeh, senator representing Anambra central, said an anthem is supposed to be motivational, adding that the current one is anything but emotive.

“The old one we are seeking to bring back is one that evokes emotions,” Umeh said.

“A national anthem is supposed to be motivational. There is motivation in the old anthem.

“I think from what my colleagues have said, there is nothing in the current anthem that motivates our people. If we bring it back, our children will be more committed to the ideals of nationhood.”

There have been mixed reactions since the national assembly began taking steps to reintroduce the old national anthem.