Some Nigerians have expressed outrage over the bill President Bola Tinubu signed into law on Wednesday morning.
The bill, which was simultaneously introduced in the Senate and the House of Representatives last week, received an accelerated consideration and passage.
The speed with which both chambers of the National Assembly considered and passed the bill at a time Nigerians are facing more pressing issues occasioned by rising inflation and security challenges, has been criticised.
While launching the National Anthem at the National Assembly, Tinubu commended the lawmakers.
“Please, let’s continue to collaborate and build our country. We have no other institutions or personality that will help us unless we do it ourselves. Let us work together to build our nation not only for us but generations yet unborn”, he said.
‘Nigeria, We Hail Thee’, composed by the Britons, was the national anthem of Nigeria used from Independence in 1960 until 1978, when it was replaced by a new anthem, ‘Arise, O Compatriots.’
But with the new law, ‘Arise, O Compatriots’, will give way for ‘Nigeria, we hail Thee’.
While a few persons have commended the president for signing it into law, others see it as a mispriority.
On X, a social media user, @Zarmaomar, wrote: “The long-awaited national anthem bill that will solve the issues of insecurity, hunger, corruption and create job opportunities has been officially signed by the President…”
@Mudiaga247 said: “How does signing this bill help the Drowning Economy.”
@KennyNuga: “Misplaced priority . we need laws mandating all vehicles to shift off the road when an Ambulance is approaching. we need laws that criminalize bullying in our institutions.”
@RealQueenBee_: “This will now be an achievement for the Tinubu administration, reverting back to the colonial anthem.”
@Ikepicano: “did he know what he signed?