A Justification for the National Anthem, "Nigeria, We Hail Thee."

A Justification for the National Anthem, "Nigeria, We Hail Thee."

- Emeka Esogbue

It is a positive milestone that the Nigerian House of Representatives has decided to reinstate "Nigeria, We Hail Thee" and eliminate "Arise O' Compatriots." 

Although we hear that this Bill sponsored by Hon Julius Ihonvbere has successfully passed the first and second reading and now awaits the third reading of Thursday plenary, the lawmakers should never hesitate to return the anthem to the nation.

Evidently, the version that the Obasanjo administration gave the country in 1978 is not quite as expressive of the passionate spirit of nationalism as the one that preceded it. 

Reasonably, the nation's former anthem, "Nigeria, we hail thee," penned by Lilian Jean Williams, encourages love, harmony, peace, and patriotism. 

In addition, it evokes feelings of aspirational Nigerianness, which permeates the multiplicity of tribes, as well as pride, dignity, happiness, and patriotic pleasure. With the exception of honouring the sacrifices made by historical heroes, such as Nigerian civil war troops and independence nationalists, the contemporary anthem, however, lacks fundamental elements of the national identity. 

It was insensitive to use a less inspirational national anthem rather than a more powerful one when reconstructing Nigeria after its senseless civil war, and the original national anthem should never have been changed. This is especially true when the words inspire higher powers than the previous one. Furthermore, it should not have been altered just because a British expat wrote it or because it was influenced by colonial history. The plain fact is that no country in the world is able to fully erase its colonial past. Post-colonially speaking, colonial history is a part of history and some of its legacies—particularly its positive aspects—cannot be wished away.

Now, 46 years later, the Obasanjo administration's new song did not end up addressing the country to the same extent as the previous version did, or to the satisfaction of the populace. It should have been permitted to stay by the military.

In actuality, it was not essential to alter the national anthem of Nigeria, "Nigeria, We Hail Thee," simply because the composer was a British national. Similarly, it was not necessary to alter the South African anthem, "Die Stem van Zuid Afrika," because its author was a White man, Cornelis Jacabus Langenhoven. 

In this case, Nigeria's varied ethnic groups need to be encouraged to have a sense of national identity and solidarity, as expressed in the beloved "Nigeria, We Hail Thee Anthem." 

This is similar to what post-World War II Germany searched for in their altered national anthem only to discover an assertion of supreme Germany, causing Einigkeit and Recht und Freiheit, the third stanza of the Deutschlandlied to be confirmed as the national anthem of a United Germany. 

What the military administration of Obasanjo searched for in "Arise O' Compatriots" after the war was not found after all. In the end, the more exquisite song transports us back to October 1, 1960, a day filled with optimism for a bright future for the new country, Nigeria.

Nigerians who express pessimism in response to news of lawmakers trying to bring back the old national anthem, arguing that it is not urgently needed, may be doing so from the standpoint of the country's current economic struggles. After all, the song was altered from what the country received on October 1, 1960, by the same khaki boys whose coups and counter-coups plunged the country into a civil war that caused a setback. 

Nevertheless, because it embodies the spirit of nationalism, anthems are significant to countries. Many decades later, it is clear that "Nigeria, We Hail Thee" captures overwhelmingly the core of what we all want for our beloved country.

The national anthem serves as a reminder of the grandeur and rich history of a country while embodying the history and beliefs of its people. It encourages individuals to rise up and come together in spite of their ethnic differences. The national anthem ought to inspire pride in one's country, mutual respect, and a sense of unanimity. Lilian Jean William's "Nigeria, We Hail Thee" has this as its goal.

The national anthem of a country may only become less meaningful to people if the people begin to lose pride in their nation. Many variables that are outside the purview of this article could be the cause of this. Whatever it is, let "Nigeria, We, Hail Thee" return.

Well done, lawmakers in the House of Representatives.