President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assented to the bill that reverts Nigeria to the old national anthem.
The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, revealed this during a joint session of the House of Representatives and the Senate to mark 25 years of unbroken democratic governance in Nigeria.
He said President Bola Tinubu joined the joint session of the National Assembly in commemoration and as a symbolic gesture of the now-assented national anthem.
Last week, the House passed a bill to revert to the old national anthem, and the Senate followed suit yesterday. The bill has now been signed into law by the president.
The bill, sponsored by the House Majority Leader, Professor Julius Ihonvbere, aims for Nigerians to act according to the lyrics contained in the old national anthem.
According to Professor Ihonvbere, Nigerians have often sung the current national anthem without adhering to its patriotic lyrics.
The old national anthem, written by Lilian Jean Williams and composed by Frances Benda, is a nostalgic reminder of Nigeria’s rich history and cultural heritage. Professor Ihonvbere explained that its lyrics evoke a sense of national pride and unity, and its revival is expected to promote a sense of national identity among Nigerians.
He argued that the old national anthem is an integral part of Nigeria’s cultural heritage and should be restored to its former place of honor.
