National anthem, the opposition and a focused government – Part 2

A comparison of the two national anthems will help us to appreciate the thinking of the Federal Government in the choice of the 1960 over the 1978 anthem.

Sincerely there are similarities in the messages that these two anthems are set to relay to the general public. Both emphasise appreciation, unity, unconditional love, development of patriotic zeal and unity in the face of diversity for the country but it seems the 1978 missed seriously the need to hand over Nigeria to Nigerians. This is the lacuna that the 1960 anthem filled.

For avoidance of doubt, the 1960 National Anthem was drafted by Lillian Jean Williams, a British. Its colonial connotation may be the principal reason for the rejection of the anthem in 1978 during the administration of General Olusegun Obasanjo whose distaste for the colonial heritage at that time was not in doubt.

Readers will recall the sudden change of the British Petroleum to African Petroleum (AP). Despite this hasty and sentimental decision, the newly introduced national anthem developed and composed by Pa Ben Odiase left a void which the 1960 anthem filled. In content and orientation, the ownership identity of the Nigerian nation by Nigerians was left unattended.

Let us for the sake of argument look at the first stanzas of both anthems. The 1960 (now 2024) anthem says and I quote.
Nigeria we hail thee.
Our own dear native land.
Though, tribe and tongue may differ
In brotherhood we stand
Nigerians all are proud to serve
Our sovereign mother land.
This opening paragraph of the 1960 constitution placed Nigeria on the palm of every Nigerians by clearly showing all and sundry (natives) within the nation that the country belongs to all of us. Hailing Nigeria connotes the patriotic zeal in all of us while” Our dear native land” indicates ownership and belongingness. Whereas, this is at variance with the opening page of the 1978 anthem which inadvertently separates Nigerians from Nigeria by its starting stanza when it says:
“Arise o compatriot. 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”.

The aforementioned quote shows clearly that there are three entities to the bargain, namely; Nigeria which seems to call the people living within her belly, the people who are not necessarily sharing the umbilical cord as emphasised in the 1960 anthem and their leaders who are believed to have contributed more to the nation.

The two anthems are a reminder of the Yoruba concepts of Alajobi and Alajogbe. Alajobi are people who share the umbilical cord while Alajogbe are mere neighbours.

Let us probe further by looking at the second stanza of the two anthems. The first stanza of the 1960 anthem reads:
“Our flag shall be a symbol
That truth and Justice reign
In peace and battle honor’d
And this we count as gain
To hand over to our children
A banner without stain.”

In this stanza, the 1960 anthem recognises that where there is Justice and truth, there will be peace. It further amplified the importance of integrity, decency and the establishment of a worthy succession plan that would sustain the positive gains of the nation.

While the 1978 anthem on the other hand states in its second stanza:
“Oh, God of creation,
Direct our noble cause
Guide our leaders 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, shall reign.”

This stanza is a prayer for peace, Justice and guidance from God for youths and the nation’s leaders. It further prays for the knowledge of truth, love and honesty for Nigerians.
The final stanza of the 1960 anthem reads:
“Oh God of all creation,
Grant this our request
Help us build a nation
Where no man is oppressed
And so with peace and plenty,
Nigeria may be blessed.”

This section commits the nation into the hands of the Almighty God, passionately requesting His guidance in building a nation where no man is shortchanged and where blessings, peace and plenty may reign.

Whichever of these two anthems is our choice, the truth is that we need to bring Nigeria closer to the heart of Nigerians which is a gap that the 1960 anthem fills.
Concluded.

Rasheed Ojikutu is Professor of Statistics (Rtd), at the University of Lagos.