A call for unity and renewed patriotism, By Isaiah Kumuyi

The arrival of our Outdated-New Nationwide Anthem is greater than only a change in melody. It’s a name for unity, patriotism, and nationwide renewal. It reminds us of our shared aspiration as a united nation, destined to dwell in peace and many. Allow us to embrace this name and work vigorously in direction of constructing a really nice Nigeria, for now and the long run.

With presidential assent to a Invoice of the Nationwide Meeting on 29 Could, Nigeria decided to revert to the nation’s authentic nationwide anthem, initially adopted after independence. As is pure with each democracy, divergent views and shades of opinion have trailed the event; and I take into account it my obligation to carry a modicum of steadiness to this trending nationwide dialog.

Justifiably so, the common Nigerian has responded to the event with the rhetorical query, requested in a sarcasm-laden voice, “Is the brand new Anthem what we might eat?”, “Na Anthem we go chop?”

Actually talking, sure, the Outdated-New Anthem will not be what you’ll eat, my fellow Nigerian. However, if all of us obtain it with the meekness of a kid and dwell by its tenets with sincerity of coronary heart, the wordings of that anthem might assist us construct a Nigeria the place you’ll by no means must ask once more, “Wetin we go chop?”

One other challenge some Nigerians have with the Outdated-New Anthem is the anti-colonial sentiment, making them question why the federal government would favour “an anthem imposed upon us by the colonial masters” over the one composed by Nigerians. Fellow Nigerian, let me rapidly inform you that the lyrics and music of what’s now our nationwide anthem emerged from a collection of competitions opened to most of the people (Nigerian and international) in 1959. Two of the competitions, which converse on to the problem at hand, had been these for the Lyrics (cut-off date of 31 March, 1959) and Music (cut-off date of 30 November, 1959), which had been open to Nigerians and foreigners. Competitions for the Nationwide Flag and Independence Stamps had been open solely to Nigerians.

Submissions for Nigeria’s Independence Anthem got here from as shut because the French Cameroons and so far as the USA. All of the entries for Lyrics had a requirement to fulfil: “The Nationwide Anthem … ought to be in English, ought to categorical the spirit of a Nigeria that’s free and unbiased, shouldn’t be of greater than three verses of six traces every.” Prize monies for the Lyrics and Music had been $280 and £1,000 respectively.

By returning to this anthem, we are able to remind ourselves of the sacrifices made by our founding fathers and the beliefs upon which the nation was based. The lyrics of our new anthem are a name for us to reclaim the spirit of unity that transcends ethnic, non secular, and regional divides, and to reignite a collective willpower to construct a affluent and equitable society for all.

Ms Lillian Jean Williams, a British expatriate in Nigeria working within the Federal Ministry of Labour and Welfare, gained the Lyrics competitors. From a pool of three,693 entries, Ms Frances Benda gained the Music contest. Ms Benda was a non-public music instructor {and professional} pianist on the Carol Hill Faculty of Classical Ballet, London. Mixed, these two ladies gave us our Outdated-New Anthem.

Very importantly, you need to additionally know {that a} panel of six Nigerian judges chosen the profitable entry. Members of that panel had been: Fela Sowande, O Omideyi, TKE Philips, WC Echazona, MC Majekodunmi, and H Lawson. On the time, Fela Sowande, a Fellow of the Royal Faculty of Organists and a College of London Bachelor of Music diploma holder, was ‘’the primary severe African composer to have his music heard in New York”, in accordance with a New York Instances publication of 1962.

My fellow citizen, I’ve taken you on that historic detour to point out to you that our new Nationwide Anthem was not foisted on us by colonial masters. It was the most effective that emerged from a pool of world submissions, and we ought to be pleased with it.

The symbolic act of re-adopting the anthem will not be a nostalgic gesture. Somewhat, it presents a possibility for us to embrace a renewed sense of nationwide identification and foster a collective spirit of unity and progress.

Greater than the instant previous anthem, which I describe as “New-Outdated”, this present Outdated-New Anthem addresses our actuality as a multi-nation nation and stipulates the crucial of brotherhood for peace, loads and liberty for all.

Now’s the time for the Nationwide Orientation Company to wake from its slumber and distil the message of the brand new anthem into the minds and hearts of Nigerians with a vigorous, long-term nationwide marketing campaign. The Outdated-New Anthem ought to be a rallying cry for all Nigerians, no matter their ethnic, non secular, or political affiliations, to return collectively and work in direction of a brighter future for his or her beloved nation.

By returning to this anthem, we are able to remind ourselves of the sacrifices made by our founding fathers and the beliefs upon which the nation was based. The lyrics of our new anthem are a name for us to reclaim the spirit of unity that transcends ethnic, non secular, and regional divides, and to reignite a collective willpower to construct a affluent and equitable society for all.

My fellow Nigerians, it’s true that governments throughout all ranges have a complete lot to do to persuade us that they’re succesful and imply nicely for us. However, whereas we proceed to place them on their toes with our feedback and constructive criticism, allow us to embrace the chance that this new anthem offers us for a brand new nationwide orientation. Let it ignite in us a collective need to confront the challenges which have hindered our nation’s progress, similar to corruption, insecurity, and financial stagnation, and to chart a brand new course in direction of prosperity and stability.

Now’s the time for the Nationwide Orientation Company to wake from its slumber and distil the message of the brand new anthem into the minds and hearts of Nigerians with a vigorous, long-term nationwide marketing campaign. The Outdated-New Anthem ought to be a rallying cry for all Nigerians, no matter their ethnic, non secular, or political affiliations, to return collectively and work in direction of a brighter future for his or her beloved nation. No different company of presidency has the mandate for that however the Nationwide Orientation Company (NOA). Expensive Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, sufficient of lacking in motion!

Expensive Nigerian, “no be the Anthem we go chop”, however its new arrival in our headspace calls all of us to the instant process of partaking in a nationwide dialogue to the top of fostering a renewed sense of unity and goal.

The arrival of our Outdated-New Nationwide Anthem is greater than only a change in melody. It’s a name for unity, patriotism, and nationwide renewal. It reminds us of our shared aspiration as a united nation, destined to dwell in peace and many. Allow us to embrace this name and work vigorously in direction of constructing a really nice Nigeria, for now and the long run

Nigeria calls to you, pricey Nigerian. Obey!

Isaiah Kumuyi, a company communications skilled, writes from the College of Lagos, Akoka.