NUJ President, Iziguzo backs re-introduced national anthem, says it unites Nigeria better

Iziguzo, however, added that the federal lawmakers should “have put the old and new anthems on the table side by side” before reaching a conclusion

By Kehinde Okeowo

The President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Chris Iziguzo has thrown his weight behind the re-introduced national anthem, ‘Nigeria We Hail Thee”.

According to him, the reinstated national anthem captured the whole core of being a Nigerian.

He gave his verdict on the rather controversial anthem on Sunday in Abuja during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

He, however, added that the federal lawmakers should have put the old and new anthems on the table side by side” before reaching a conclusion.

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Speaking during the chat, Iziguzo said: “Look at Nigeria, we have different languages and tribes. This anthem unites us better regardless of our differences.

“The new anthem of ‘Nigeria we hail thee’ says a lot about us as one country with one destiny.

“However, I think the first thing they would have done was to put the old and new on the table side by side and review it.

“If in the wisdom of the president and members of the National Assembly, we should revert to the old anthem, why not.

“After all, it highlights the fact that we have different tribes and tongues in one nation and yet we still exist as one. So be it,”

TheNiche had earlier reported that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed the National Anthem Bill 2024 into law on Wednesday, May 29.

Meanwhile, the return of the old anthem has elicited divergent views from Nigerians, while some commentators welcomed the development, others criticised it saying the move is yet another case of “misplaced priority” given the slew of challenges confronting Nigerians.