JUST IN: National Assembly members sing old national anthem
*As Tinubu signs bill into Law

Members of the joint session of the National Assembly sang the old national anthem, ‘Nigeria, we hail thee’ for the first time at the marking the Silver Jubilee of Nigeria’s 4th Republic.
 

The singing commenced after the President signed the National Anthem bill 2024 into law, and spoke to the members of the National Assembly.

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday signed the National Anthem Bill 2024 into law.

The bill seeks to reinstate the old anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee.”

This was disclosed by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, during the joint plenary that Tinubu attended.

The final assent to the passage of the bill will bring about a shift from the now-recognised, “Arise O Compatriots.”

The bill was rapidly cleared by both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

The Senate and the House of Representatives had previously passed the legislation to replace the national anthem from “Arise, O Compatriots” to “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” at separate sittings.

Here are the stanzas of Nigeria We Hail Thee:

Nigeria, we hail thee,

Our own dear native land,

Though tribe and tongue may differ,

In brotherhood, we stand,

Nigerians all, and proud to serve

Our sovereign Motherland.

Our flag shall be a symbol

That truth and justice reign,

In peace or battle honour’d,

And this we count as gain,

To hand on to our children

A banner without stain.

O God of all creation,

Grant this our one request,

Help us to build a nation

Where no man is oppressed,

And so with peace and plenty

Nigeria may be blessed.