According to Channels Television, Human rights lawyer Mike Ozekhome has praised President Bola Tinubu’s administration for the reintroduction of Nigeria’s old national anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee.” Speaking as a guest on Thursday’s edition of Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, Ozekhome commended the move, despite his general reservations about the government.
In a recent interview with Channels Television from 3:19 he stated, “I am not a fantastic fan of the government, but if there is one thing I think they have done right; they have gotten right, and I applaud them for it, It is the national anthem. It is the reintroduction of this national anthem,” Ozekhome said.
The reintroduction of the old national anthem followed the passage of the National Anthem Bill 2024, which was subsequently signed by President Tinubu. While the decision has faced criticism from Nigerians who questioned its relevance amid economic challenges, Ozekhome believes the move has significant unifying potential.
Ozekhome addressed concerns about the lack of public consultation during the process. “I know that it was advertised that there would be a public hearing over the national anthem. That was how I heard. Nobody came to invite me specially and if you’re called, you should go and participate. If you don’t participate, you should not cry later,” he said.
He clarified that unlike a constitutional change, adopting a new national anthem does not necessitate extensive town hall meetings. Ozekhome also lamented the lack of patriotism among some Nigerians, expressing hope that the reintroduced anthem would help restore national pride. According to him, the reintroduction aligns with recommendations from the 2014 National Confab.
President Tinubu defended the reintroduction of the old anthem, describing it as a priority. “Let me allude to something that happened yesterday. The change of national anthem, ‘Nigeria, We Hail Thee’. Some people say, okay… say what? Is that your priority? It’s my priority. I agree with the National Assembly. If they make law, I’ve got to obey that law, or we disagree openly and close the chapter,” Tinubu said during a meeting with the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) at the Presidential Villa in Abuja last Thursday….Sée Móre