Why I’ll never sing new national anthem — Obi Ezekwesili

A former Minister of Education, Obiageli “Oby” Ezekwesili, has revealed that under no circumstance will she be found singing the newly reintroduced Nigerian national anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee.”

The economic policy expert made this known via her official X account on Wednesday in reaction to the reversion to the old national anthem.

Tribune Online reports that President Bola Tinubu officially signed the National Anthem Bill 2024 into law on Wednesday, reverting the country’s national anthem to the original “Nigeria, We Hail Thee.”

Reacting to the development, Ezekwesili, who criticized the reintroduction of the national anthem, described it as absolutely ridiculous.

She noted that it is within her constitutional rights to choose not to abide by any law that she deems repulsive.

She added that she will continue to sing the discarded anthem “Arise, O Compatriots” whenever the need arises to sing the national anthem and not the newly reintroduced  “Nigeria, We Hail Thee.”

ALSO READ: BREAKING: Tinubu signs bill returning old national anthem into law

She wrote, “*Public Service Announcement* 

“Let it be known to all and sundry that I, Obiageli “Oby” Ezekwesili will whenever asked to sing the Nigerian National Anthem sing: 

“1. 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.

“2. Oh God of creation, direct our noble cause

Guide our leader’s 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 reign. 

“This is my own National Anthem and let it be known that no one can suppress my right to dissent an obnoxious “law” that is repugnant to all that is of good conscience in Nigeria.  Whatever else is #NotMyNationalAnthem.”