Adekunle Gold, Odumodublvck, and Kate Henshaw are among the Nigerian celebrities who have reacted to the reintroduced national anthem.
The old national anthem adopted from 1960 to 1988 used the theme ‘Nigeria, We Hail Thee’ while the version used from 1978 to early 2024 was titled ‘Arise, O Compatriots’.
The lyrics of the old anthem were written by Lillian Jean Williams, a British expatriate, and composed by another Briton, Frances Benda.
Benedict Odiase, a Nigerian, composed the national anthem adopted in 1978.
On May 23, the house of representatives speedily passed the bill while the senate also did the same during a public hearing on Tuesday.
President Bola Tinubu signed the bill on the reintroduction of the old national anthem on Wednesday.
The development has however sparked a wave of reactions on social media with several Nigerians — including celebrities — registering their dissatisfaction.
Some celebrities described the move as a “misplaced priority”, arguing that the government should focus on pressing issues like insecurity, unemployment and economic instability.
“No one thought Timi Dakolo’s Great Nation makes a better anthem?” Adekunle Gold wrote.
“In the midst of excoriating hardship & lack of good governance on every level but not to worry going back to a colonial anthem will be a soothing balm and inject patriotism back into our veins, a much needed drug,” Kate Henshaw added.
“Dem for allow me dagger this national anthem. E never complete,” Odumodublvck also wrote.
See more reactions below:
Of all things to address…..
The f***ing National Anthem
At this point they can change the flag to purple and burgundy , shoot the horses on the coat of arms and let the dead eagle 🦅 take flight.
AdvertisementReally sick of the incompetence
— iLLBLISS OGA BOSS (@illBlissGoretti) May 29, 2024
Exchange rate is sky rocketing, cost of living is so high, insecurity in many parts of the country but one year in office,however, let’s change the national anthem.
This is so sad and shamefulAdvertisement— Noble Igwe (@Nobsdaslushhkid) May 29, 2024
I’m not learning any other national anthem…
— Toolz O.D (@ToolzO) May 29, 2024
Animals in Agbada fit make me start to sing our olden days National Anthem, imposicant.
Vagabonds in power wan distract us from hunger, kidnapping, high cost of living by organizing useless priorities for us to follow so we no go dey talk as e dey pain us?
Who no know say APC… pic.twitter.com/PXtj6ApCSR
— Charly Boy Area Fada 1 (@AreaFada1) May 29, 2024
Arise o compatriots, I’ll miss you, thank you for so many child hood memories. till
we meet again, love SM— THE REAL IDAN (@TeniEntertainer) May 29, 2024
DEM FOR ALLOW ME DAGGER THIS NATIONAL ANTHEM.
E NEVER COMPLETE
– INDUSTRY MACHINE
— INDUSTRY MACHINE (@Odumodublvck_) May 30, 2024
Now that we have the old national anthem can we now have the old price for foodstuff and dollar ?
— 𝙴𝚛𝚒𝚐𝚐𝚊 (@erigganewmoney) May 30, 2024
Of all the problems Nigerians have to deal with,changing the national anthem is priority? Okay naw.
— LAVIDA BOY (@Joeboy) May 29, 2024
In the midst of excoriating hardship & lack of good governance on every level but not to worry 😏 going back to a colonial anthem will be a soothing balm and inject patriotism back into our veins, a much needed drug.🚶♀️➡️🚶♀️➡️🚶♀️➡️🚶♀️➡️🚶♀️➡️
— Kate Amaka Henshaw (@HenshawKate) May 30, 2024
No one thought Timi Dakolo’s Great Nation makes a better anthem?
— BIG FISH 🦈 (@adekunleGOLD) May 29, 2024
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