I won’t sing new national anthem, says ex-minister Ezekwesili
Aformer minister of education, Obiageli Ezekwesili, has declared that she would not sing the reinstated old national anthem, ‘Nigeria, We Hail thee.’
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday, May 29, assented to the National Anthem bill after being passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives.
However, Ezekwesili, in a post on her X page on Wednesday frowned at the reintroduction of the old national anthem.
She said that no one could stifle her freedom to disagree with what she called an “obnoxious law” and ‘disgusting’ to any decent person in Nigeria.
Ezekwesili said: “Let it be known to all and sundry that I, Obiageli “Oby” Ezekwesili, will, whenever asked to sing the Nigerian National Anthem, sing:
“1. Arise, O compatriots, Nigeria’s call obey
“To serve our fatherland
“With love and strength and faith
“The labour of our heroes past
“Shall never be in vain
“To serve with heart and might
“One nation bound in freedom, peace and unity.”
She added the second stanza, “2. Oh God of creation, direct our noble cause
“Guide our leader’s right
“Help our youth the truth to know
“In love and honesty to grow
“And living just and true
“Great lofty heights attain
“To build a nation where peace and justice reign.”
