A clergyman based in the United Kingdom, Bishop Raymond Opia, has argued that, compared with the recently reinstated National Anthem, the 1978 version had military undertones in the lyrics, which were not suitable for a democratic country like Nigeria.
In an interview, Bishop Opia, who is originally from Delta State, said, “The music of the old anthem is better than the 1978 anthem, which has some military undertones because it was put to music by a military man.”
Hailing the National Assembly and President Bola Tinubu for the courageous step to revert to the Independence-era National Anthem, the cleric said, “The old National Anthem is far better than the one introduced in the later part of 1978.
“The old anthem has lyrics or wordings which reflect the diversity of the nation and calls forth the ‘Brotherhood’ of the country as a people.”
According to him, the old anthem was written with the spiritual and physical freedom of the nation in mind, as it was just after the independence of the country.
Also reacting yesterday in support of the reintroduction of the Independence anthem were Professor of Economics, David Irefin of Federal University Lokoja, and a lawyer, Justice Osai Ahiakwo.
Irefin said the phrase “In brotherhood, we stand” has been a binding force in a country already fragmented by bitter division and hate.
“The binding force in the reintroduced anthem is the phrase ‘In Brotherhood We Stand’ while that of the abandoned anthem is lucifer, which radiates segregation, discrimination, division, violence, injustice, oppression, and other vices.
“Unknown to Nigerians, the reintroduced National Anthem was inspired by God Himself. Brotherhood is God, and God radiates love, oneness, truthfulness, unity, and every good thing. While the old anthem focuses on compatriots and heroes. Compatriots and heroes are human and carnal.”
According to Prof. Irefin, the country has passed through terrible ordeals since the adoption of the former anthem.
“Nigerians should wake up, and the spirit of love, truth, justice, equity, and greatness shall guide the various nationalities to success and sustainable development in oneness.”
Reacting in a statement, Justice Ahiakwo, a lawyer, said, “As diverse and complex as the people inhabiting the sovereign nation of Nigeria are, there is a common expression in the 1960 anthem that reminds all of their social and corporate responsibilities.
“Apart from whether Mr. President complied with Section 60 of the 1990 Constitution (as amended) to reinstate the old anthem ‘Nigeria we hail thee,’ it is rather ironic to hear some persons condemning this executive gesture. The symbol of the 1960 anthem, reinforced as the National Anthem Act 2024, has a philosophical principle of survival. It was the anthem that lowered the act of British colonialism to declare our independence as a people.
“The assent into law by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on May 29, 2024 is nothing but a further affirmation of liberation from neo-colonialism.”
1978 anthem had military undertone – Bishop Opia