CONFAB Says Nigerians Should Revert To Old National Anthem.

 

The conference regarded the old anthem as a better symbol of unity, peace and prosperity.
The National Conference delegates on Thursday adopted the recommendation that Nigeria should revert to the old National Anthem.

The conference regarded the old anthem as a better symbol of unity, peace and prosperity.
The decision was taken while the conference was reviewing a report from the Committee on Political Restructuring and Forms of Government in Abuja.

The decision was applauded by delegates, who unanimously recited the old National Anthem on the floor of plenary.

The lyrics of the old National Anthem, written by Lillian Jean Williams, composed by Frances Berda and sung between 1960 and 1978 was:


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
And this we count as gain
To pass unto 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.
The current National Anthem was adopted in 1978 during the military regime under the Olusegun Obasanjo administration.

It was written by John Ikechukwu, Eme Etim Akpan, Babatunde Ogunnaike, Sotu Omoigui and P. O. Aderogbu, five winners of a competition, and composed by Benedict Odiase.

The current National Anthem goes:


Arise, O Compatriots,
Nigeria’s call obey
To serve our Fatherland
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.

Oh God of all 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 shall reign.

The conference equally resolved that for Nigeria to achieve its full intention of building a fully integrated nation, the country should live in unity and harmony as one indivisible under God.

It, however, rejected the proposal to change the national flag and the name “Nigeria.”
source | (NAN)