UPDATE: SENATE BEGINS PUBLIC HEARING ON CHANGE OF NATIONAL ANTHEM

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A public hearing on an Act to provide for the Nigerian National Anthem and associated subjects has been opened by the Senate.

The national prayer will be the second verse of the current national anthem, according to Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, who spoke on behalf of the Senate President at the hearing.

He did, however, add that more consultation on the subject will take place if it is thought essential.

Lateef Fagbemi, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, stated in his contribution that the amendment should not be made solely by legislative fiat but rather should be the subject of extensive consultation.

According to him, the reversal is appropriate, but it should go through a more extensive process to make sure it accurately reflects the wishes of all Nigerians.

Meanwhile, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mike Ozekhome, harped on one of the lines from the previous anthem, which addresses the issue of oppression, while corroborating with the Director General of the National Orientation Agency that the change of the nation’s anthem is long overdue.

He also mentioned that he had proposed the idea ten years prior at the 2014 CONFAB through a motion, which the 490 delegates discussed but ultimately rejected.

According to him, the present Nigerian flag of green white green is too bland and not inspirational compared to that of US and South Africa.

Ozekhome also recalled that he suggested that the name ‘Nigeria’ should be changed’ cause it appeared to be a burden, proposing that the name Nigeria be changed to ‘iregime’.

He believes that the change like has been done in other countries such as The Netherlands, Pakistan, France, Russia, Turkey, Zambia, Zimbabwe and 12 others, is quintessential to development.

A national referendum is key he maintains to holistically solve the issues, asserting again that the slight amendment to the constitution will not solve Nigeria’s problems.

Last week, a bill seeking to make provision for Nigeria to revert to its old national anthem scaled through second reading at the Senate.

It was referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters to report back to the house in two weeks.

Meanwile, at the House of Representatives, the bill to revert to the old national anthem “Nigeria, We Hail Thee”, was passed.