OFFCUT: Reverted old national anthem, a giant step backward — Reno Omokri

Former presidential aide and political analyst Reno Omokri has stated that reverting to the old national anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” represents a significant step backward in the nation’s progress.

Omokri expressed his view via his X account on Wednesday in response to the reintroduction of the anthem.

Recall that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu officially signed the National Bill 2024 into law on Wednesday, reinstating the country’s old national anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee.”

Reacting to this development, Omokri lamented that the decision takes the nation backward, emphasizing that there was nothing fundamentally wrong with the current anthem. 

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He added that discarding the national anthem written by Nigerians in favor of one penned by a foreigner signifies a regression for the country.

Reno Omokri wrote: “Reverting To The Old National Anthem Was a Big Mistake If I look sad in the attached photo, it is for a reason. My heart is very heavy about Nigeria right now because, in my opinion, we just took a giant step backwards in our national journey. Now, do not get me wrong, I support the current economic policies of my country. Fuel subsidy removal and Naira flotation are necessary policies that any lover of Nigeria should adhere to regardless of party affiliation.

One of the most unnecessary acts of governance in Nigeria in recent times is the law returning the old National Anthem. First of all, there was nothing wrong with the existing anthem. Secondly, with all of the multifaceted issues we face, it seems like we have a lack of priorities, when we major on such a settled issue as an anthem.

To me, it looks like a step backwards to discard the ‘Arise, O Compatriots’ National Anthem written by a collective of young Nigerians, including John A. Ilechukwu, Eme Etim Akpan, B. A. Ogunnaike, Sota Omoigui and P. O. Aderibigbe in 1978, for ‘Nigeria, We Hail Thee’, written by an English woman, Lillian Jean Williams.

Does it not sound preposterous that a foreigner should write our National Anthem? Are we that shallow and uninspired that we cannot come up with our own indigenous anthem? You can imagine the land of such music icons, like Fela Kuti, Osita Osadebe, Dan Maraya Jos, and contemporary stars, like Sade Adu, Burna Boy, Davido and Wizkid, importing music of national significance from Britain. As my Yoruba brethren will say, ‘O wrong now!’

Already, the name Nigeria was given to us by another English lady, Flora Shaw. And she named us in 1897 in much the same way you name a dog. She did it tongue in cheek, for an article she wrote for The Times of London. “

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Reverting To The Old National Anthem Was a Big Mistake

If I look sad in the attached photo, it is for a reason. My heart is very heavy about Nigeria right now because, in my opinion, we just took a giant step backwards in our national journey. Now, do not get me wrong, I… pic.twitter.com/pKPrC12z60

— Reno Omokri (@renoomokri) May 29, 2024

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