Nigerian national anthem Nigeria We Hail Thee composed by Lillian Jean Williams both old and new

Arise O Compatriots a new rendition of the national anthem took the place of the old one Nigeria We Hail Thee which was written upon Nigerias independence on October 1 1960. There was resounding support from the legislators for the bill introduced by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central).

The legislators who supported the bill contended that it would replace the current symbol for unity peace and prosperity with a more fitting one.

The lawmakers pointed out that the independence anthem which embodies the nations ideals ethics and conventions ought to take precedence over the current national anthem which was a creation of the military junta and ordered by the military.

Before Nigeria gained its independence Lillian Jean Williams a British citizen wrote the song Nigeria We Hail Thee with music composed by Frances Berda. Nigerias unity and national identity in the 1960s and late 1970s were greatly influenced by the anthem.

 

Here is the anthem below:

Stanza1

Nigeria, we hail thee,

Our own dear native land,

Though tribe and tongue may differ,

In brotherhood, we stand,

Nigerians all, and proud to serve

Our sovereign Motherland.

Stanza 2

Our flag shall be a symbol

That truth and justice reign,

In peace or battle honour’d,

And this we count as gain,

To hand on to our children

A banner without stain.

Stanza 3

O God of all creation,

Grant this our one request,

Help us to build a nation

Where no man is oppressed,

And so with peace and plenty

Nigeria may be blessed.

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