TINUBU JUSTIFIES REINTRODUCTION OF OLD NATIONAL ANTHEM, SAYS IT WAS HIS PRIORITY

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The former national anthem, “Nigeria, we hail thee,” has been reinstated. President Bola Tinubu has justified this move, claiming it was a top priority.

A measure that reinstated the previous national anthem was signed by Tinubu, which drew condemnation from a number of sources.

However, Tinubu disregarded the critics during a meeting with the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, stating that the reintroduction of the old hymn is not, as some have said, an inappropriate priority.

“Let me allude to something that happened yesterday. The change of national anthem, ‘Nigeria, we hail thee’,” President Tinubu at the meeting which was held on Thursday.

“Some people say, okay… say what? Is that your priority? It’s my priority. I agree with the National Assembly. If they make law, I’ve got to obey that law, or we disagree openly and close the chapter.”

At the meeting, President Tinubu also canvassed for national unity, saying the country’s diversity makes it unique.

“But the question of diversity. Who gave us the name Nigeria? Is it not Britain? Or somewhere? Have we changed our name? We are Nigerians. Our passport shows that,” Tinubu told the gathering.

“As long as we are Nigerians and one family, we remain and protect our diversity and love one another as brothers and sisters.”

“It is God Almighty that puts you in that particular place and makes you a member of that family. You have no control over it,” he said.

“When I came begging for votes, I didn’t say vote for me as a Yoruba man, I said vote for me as Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”