By Nathaniel Zacchaeus, Abuja
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has explained that the new National Anthem was first sung in the National Assembly yesterday after President Bola Tinubu assented to the Bill because the federal lawmakers are the true representatives of Nigerians.
Akpabio stated this when Tinubu visited the federal parliament as part of the activities marking his administration’s first year in office.
He explained that the President had already signed the Bill into law.
The National Assembly had on Tuesday, approved the bill as part of the constitutional provisions to make it a law.
Read Also:Tinubu signs Bill returning old National Anthem into Law
The bill seeks to replace the anthem, ‘Arise o compatriots’ with the old one, ‘Nigeria, We Hail Thee’, which was adopted as the country’s first national anthem on October 1, 1960.
The old anthem was dropped in 1978 by the Olusegun Obasanjo’s military regime.
The Senate President urged Nigerians to familiarise themselves with the new national anthem.
The new national anthem was recited upon President Tinubu’s arrival in the House of Representatives chamber for the joint session.
Akpabio said, “There is no better place to commence this revolution of going back to our genealogy than the National Assembly, made up of patriotic, not just representatives, but elected representatives of the people of Nigeria. The voice of the National Assembly is the voice of Nigeria. So we welcome you.
“Of all the significant things you have done, I think one of the most profound, is to take us back to the genealogy, the genealogical of our birth, that though we may belong to different tribes, though we may have different tongues, in brotherhood we all stand.
“Henceforth we will not refer to ourselves as mere compatriots, but we will refer to ourselves as brothers. And as we go forth in battle whether on the field of sports, in the field of politics, or economic endeavours, we must hail Nigeria. And so we are all saying today, Mr President, Nigeria, We hail thee!
“Mr President, this is your National Assembly. The Senators and members have asked me to congratulate you on your first anniversary since your swearing-in into office. Congratulations, Sir.
“Before you came, I and my brother, Tajudeen Abbas, explained the purpose of this visit that this is what we call in Nollywood: Waka Pass.
“You intend to celebrate Democracy Day, which is June 12th. But out of honour and respect for the National Assembly, you said you must pass through the National Assembly on your first anniversary in office.
“On that note, sir, we will allow you to greet your people because of your crowded schedule today and we look forward to celebrating Democracy Day on June 12th with you.
“You just greet us. You may say a word. You may wave. You may stand up and take a bow, this is your chambers. However, you do it and thereafter we will allow you to exit while we continue our proceedings. Welcome, Mr President.”
