According to Vanguard, there has been debate and public protest over the recent decision to restore Nigeria's national anthem to its colonial antecedent. The joint author of Nigeria's national anthem in 1978, Dr. Sota Omoigui, voiced his deep dismay and worry over this decision.
Reverting to the old national anthem, according to Dr. Omoigui, is a betrayal of Nigeria's freedom. Those advocating for change may contend that the old anthem might inspire patriotism and represent more contemporary ideas.
But Dr. Omoigui disregarded these assertions as being contradictory. He said that the Nigerian anthem, with its melody and lyrics written by fellow Nigerians, embodies the identity and cultural legacy of Nigeria.
He denounced Nigeria's windows and the corruption of the current political leadership. He exhorted Nigerians to uphold their sense of pride in their country and oppose this decision.
In his words, "When I wrote my words for the anthem in 1978, it was my dream for the country to move forward and take its place among the great nations of the world."
"But all that potential has been hijacked and degraded by a political leadership that constitutes a criminal enterprise. The regressive reverting of our anthem to the colonial anthem is a betrayal of our independence."
"They want to now force Nigerians to sing Nigeria; we hail thee. They want us to hail the 53% unemployment rate of our youths and the 34% unemployment rate of our adults."
"They want us to hail the minimum monthly wage of N30,000.00, whose earners have to work for three months to purchase a bag of rice that costs N100,000.00."
"They want us to hail no electricity, roads, pipe-borne water, dilapidated and unsanitary schools with no roofs or windows."