Former Minister of Education, Mrs Obiageli Ezekwesili, has said that she would not revert to the old national anthem, newly signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the country”s new anthem.
Ezekwesili made this disclosure in a post on her X handle on Wednesday, May 29.
According to her, no one can suppress her right to dissent from what she described as “obnoxious law” repugnant to all who are good conscience in Nigeria.
The former Minister said, “Let it be known to all and sundry that I, Obiageli “oby” Ezekwesili, will, never asked to sing the Nigerian National Anthem, sing:
1.Arise, O Compatriots, Nigeria’s call obey “To serve our father land
“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”.
She added, “2. Oh God of creation, direct our noble cause
“Guide our leaders 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.
9News Nigeria earlier reported that the House of Representatives rapidly passed the National Anthem Bill 2024, seeking to reinstate the old anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee”.
Leading the debate in the lower chamber on the general principles of the bill, the sponsor of the proposed law, Professor Julius Ihonvbere, anchored his argument on the need for patriotism and nationalism.
The 10th Senate passed the bill after reviewing a report by Mohammed Tahir Monguno, the lawmaker representing Borno North Senatorial District and Chairman of the Judicial Committee at the National Assembly.
-9News Nigeria.
