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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...