New national anthem unites us better – NUJ President

The President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Chris Iziguzo has said that the new anthem captures the whole core of being Nigerians.

Isiguzo made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.

“Look at Nigeria, we have different languages and tribes. This anthem unites us better regardless of our differences.

“The new anthem of ‘Nigeria we hail thee’ says a lot about us as one country with one destiny.

“However, I think the first thing they would have done was to put the old and new on the table side by side and review it.

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“If in the wisdom of the president and members of the National Assembly, we should revert to the old anthem, why not.

“After all, it highlights the fact that we have different tribes and tongues in one nation and yet we still exist as one. So be it,” Isiguzo stressed.

Recall that President Bola Tinubu Tinubu signed the National Anthem Bill 2024 into law on May 29.

The return of the old anthem elicited divergent views, with some commentators criticising the move as yet another case of “misplaced priority” given the slew of challenges confronting Nigerians.

Tinubu said that returning the old national anthem was a priority for him.

Tinubu made this known during a meeting on Thursday with the leadership of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) at the presidential villa in Abuja.

Tinubu said Nigeria’s diversity should be protected and celebrated, adding that the country’s population should not be seen as a burden.

“But the question of diversity. Who gave us the name Nigeria? Is it not Britain? Or somewhere? Have we changed our name? We are Nigerians. Our passport shows that,” he said.