During a joint session of Nigeria’s lawmakers today, members 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 rendition began after the President signed the National Anthem bill 2024 into law, and spoke to the members of the National Assembly.
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.
The 1st Stanza:
“Nigeria we hail thee
Our own dear native land
Though tribes and tongue may differ
In brotherhood we stand Nigerians all, are 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.”