The decision by the National Assembly to return Nigeria to the old National Anthem is generating mixed reactions. The bill was passed by the House of Representatives in one hour but faced opposition in the Senate. The Senate called for an executive session to discuss the matter behind closed doors. Some senators vehemently rejected the idea while others welcomed it. The Senate asked its committee on Judiciary, Human Rights And Legal Matters to carry out further legislative work on the matter. The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice called for wider consultations before passing the bill. The Minister of Information and National Orientation recommended expanding the scope to include a robust issue on national identity. A Senior Advocate of Nigeria supported the move to replace the current National Anthem with the old one. The National Assembly passed the bill to change the National Anthem from 'Arise O Compatriots' to 'Nigeria, We Hail Thee' [dc4acfa2] [bf77ddb5].
This development comes as the Senate prepares to pass the 2024 budget on December 30, in line with the federal government's January-December budget cycle policy. The N27.5 trillion 2024 appropriation bill, presented by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has faced criticism for lacking a strategic plan to improve and impact the lives of Nigerians. The budget aims to grow the economy by a minimum of 3.76 percent and prioritizes electricity, vaccines, major roads, and railway projects. It includes allocations for statutory transfers, non-debt recurrent costs, personnel costs, pensions, gratuities, retirees' benefits, overheads, capital expenditure, debt service, and a sinking fund. The budget is expected to result in a deficit of 9.8 trillion Naira, which will be financed through borrowing, privatization proceeds, and drawdowns on bilateral/multilateral loans [2771734f] [39a3f279].
The revival of the old National Anthem is seen as a significant step towards Nigeria's democratic renaissance. An opinion piece by Ojo Emmanuel Ademola in Businessday highlights the importance of reviving the 1960s Constitution and embracing a strong democracy. The old anthem serves as a powerful reminder of the foundational principles and values that guided the nation during the pivotal era of 1960-1978. Embracing a strong democracy requires a commitment to transparency, inclusivity, and the rule of law. The 1960s Constitution, with its emphasis on democracy and good governance, provided a solid framework for economic growth by fostering a conducive environment for investment, innovation, and entrepreneurship. During the 1960s, Nigeria experienced a surge in technological innovation and advancement that played a significant role in shaping the country’s industrialization and infrastructure development. The analysis of the benefits of reviving the 1960s Constitution and embracing a strong democracy at this time for Nigeria is crucial for several reasons [fec988d3].
Nigeria has introduced a new national anthem that reflects the country's evolving aspirations and values. The anthem emphasizes unity, justice, and prosperity. The opening stanza highlights the diversity of Nigeria and the call for brotherhood. The second stanza focuses on the national flag as a symbol of truth and justice. The final stanza is a prayer for divine guidance and a desire for a nation free from oppression. The anthem serves as a vision for the nation, emphasizing unity in diversity, justice, and hope for a brighter future [3ec3f6d2].
Meanwhile, in the United States, the Senate has validated a budget deal, avoiding the partial paralysis of the federal administration. The agreement, approved by both parties, includes a package of 467.5 billion US dollars and allows various agencies and ministries to continue operating until the end of the financial year on September 30. The bill had already been adopted by the House of Representatives, and the other half of the budget, which includes sensitive subjects such as the army or border security, will be addressed in a second envelope to be delivered to President Joe Biden's desk by March 22 [921f08c2].
The House of Representatives is passing a bill to change the national anthem from the current one to an old one composed by colonial masters. The bill has passed through its readings in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Hon. Ahmed Satomi of Borno State disagrees with the bill, arguing that countries that rely on prayers will always depend on countries that think. He believes the focus should be on stability, progress, and prosperity for Nigeria. The first anthem was composed by colonial masters and highlights differences, while the second anthem, composed by Nigerians, emphasizes patriotism, peace, and unity. The present national anthem is deeply ingrained in the nation's history, and changing it would be absurd. The bill would have been more inspirational if it proposed using the second stanza of the current anthem instead of reverting to a colonial-era anthem. The bill is seen as frivolous and a distraction from more pressing issues such as the minimum wage, insecurity, unemployment, and infrastructure development [f9b177dd].