I Stick To “Arise, O compatriots, Nigeria’s call obey”, Ezekwesili Insists

A former Minister of Education, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili has outrightly rejected revert to the 1960 old national anthem of Nigeria, describing it as “colonial national anthem that has pejorative words like ‘native land’ and ‘tribe’.

She insisted to go on with the now jettisoned “Arise, O compatriots, Nigeria’s call obey” national anthem.

It would be recalled that the two chambers of the National Assembly (NASS) had with a speed of lightening passed a bill seeking to readopt the “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” 1960 old national anthem.

The bill was subsequently assented to by President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday. To further signal its reintroduction, at a joint sitting of the NASS which had President Tinubu in attendance on Wednesday, the “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” national anthem was sang.

But in reaction to these, Dr. Ezekwesili through her X handle wrote: “Absolutely incredulous! “Native Land” . “Tribes”.

“In a 21st Century Nigeria, the country’s political class found a colonial National Anthem that has pejorative words like “Native Land” and “Tribes” to be admirable enough to foist on our Citizens without their consent.

“It is inevitable that there will be an ideological War between the Political Class and the Citizens of Nigeria.

“It is only but a matter of “When?”.

” Public Service Announcement

Let it be known to all and sundry that I, Obiageli “Oby” Ezekwesili shall whenever asked to sing the Nigerian National Anthem sing:

“1. Arise, O compatriots, Nigeria’s call obey
To serve our fatherland
With love and strength and faith
The labour of our heroes past
Shall never be in vain
To serve with heart and might
One nation bound in freedom, peace and unity.

“2. Oh God of creation, direct our noble cause
Guide our leader’s right
Help our youth the truth to know
In love and honesty to grow
And living just and true
Great lofty heights attain
To build a nation where peace and justice reign.

“This is my own National Anthem and let it be known that no one can suppress my right to dissent an obnoxious “law” that is repugnant to all that is of good conscience in Nigeria.

“Whatever else is #NotMyNationalAnthem.”