There has been mixed reaction following the Federal Government of Nigeria’s decision to revert to the old National Anthem a move that most Nigerian’s have alleged is unnecessary and the least of Nigerian’s problem at the moment.

Speaking on the issue, Francisca Ogar, a Journalist said: “While the lyrics of the old anthem make a lot of sense and evoke feelings of patriotism, there is such a thing as priorities and for now the challenges facing the country are too much for Nigerians to appreciate lyrics.”

“The deed has been done but we hope they will use the same energy used in pursuing the change of anthem to pursue restoration of affordable prices of food, electricity tariff and other more pressing needs of Nigerians.”

Supporting the decision of the federal government, Joy Ngwolo, a Public Relations Professional said “I support the government’s decision to revert to the old national anthem because of its powerful message against tribalism, encapsulated in the line ‘Though tribe and tongue may differ, in brotherhood we stand.’ This stanza serves as a constant reminder to prioritize the nation’s interests over tribal affiliations. While supporting this change, I also urge the government to prioritize addressing critical issues such as the high cost of living, poverty, and inflation to truly improve the lives of citizens.”

Questioning the decision of the government, Godfrey C. Osakwe a Public Relations Specialist asked “Will the old National Anthem now foist on us inspired the much desired national rebirth? Will it solve the myriad of problems Nigerians are facing today? The economy is depressed, insecurity, and unemployment is on increase, and our youths are fleeing to other countries in the face of helplessness.

Why tinker with critical national identity elements such as national anthem when the national psyche is at its lowest ebb.”

“At a time when creative leaders in other climes are thinking of the future with Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and renewable future, ours are doing backwards integration. To complete the equation, they should bring back the colonial masters to take over the leadership of Nigeria”, he noted.

Like Godfrey C. Osakwe Peter David, a Customer Service Representative condemned the decision, he: ”The Federal Government’s decision to revert to the old national anthem, “Nigeria We Hail Thee”, for me I see this decision as a retrogressive step, especially given the progress made since the current anthem, “Arise, O Compatriots”, was adopted in 1978.”

“The current anthem better reflects Nigeria’s uniqueness and diversity, and reverting to the old anthem may undermine the country’s progress and identity,” he added.

Also Peterclaver Egbouche a Publisher said: “For me, it’s laughable! That’s the least of our worries in Nigeria. That doesn’t translate to anything meaningful. How does that affect the masses who are struggling to survive? As I speak to you now, most families no longer cook stew because they cannot afford pepper and tomatoes, beans is no longer affordable just like rice, a paint of garri is now N4000. These are the things the masses can relate with not National Anthem. It’s laughable as it is inconsequential.”

For Dr Promise Adiele a Lecturer the decision by government simply shows an idle government not concerned with the immediate needs of governance. How has reverting to the old anthem affected the lives of people on the streets? What economic policies has it affected? It shows retrogression and backwardness. Although I argued for the scrapping of the national anthem in a previous essay, I don’t think the old one; written by colonialists should be the answer. I can bet that another government any day will definitely change it to the one written by Nigerians.”

Meanwhile, Naomi Onome a Blogger, said: “For once, I couldn’t even tell the motive behind Federal Governments decision to revert to the old National Anthem for it sounds absolutely absurd perhaps to Millennials (Gen-y) and Gen-z born but very satisfactory to the oldies who finds the item really profound enough to represent the essence of Nigeria.”

She further explained that “I would say the FG seat dominated by the oldies born between 1950 to the 1970s have be clouded their senses with irrelevant policies to divert the original crisis plaguing Nigeria. A situation where the masses can barely survive resulting to all manner of crimes that had driven deep to result in insecurity as well with kidnappers on the rampage looking for victims to exploit financially.”

The return of the old National Anthem is the least of our problems, although personally when I tried to learn the anthem I had some shivers like there is a spiritual intonation to it which will affect the nation positively to restore her glory, sounds ridiculous but I hope I’m right.

President Tinubu should focus on easing the sufferings of Nigerians by putting the right policies in place, the change of the National Anthem is not a welcomed development for our dear nation.”

Naomi Onome Blogger

Mixed reactions trail introduction of old national anthem

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