Ex-Minister Ezekwesili Rejects New National Anthem, Calls Law ‘Obnoxious’

In a strong statement of dissent, former Minister of Education, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, has publicly rejected the newly reinstated National Anthem. She declared her commitment to the current anthem, “Arise O Compatriots,” in a post on her verified X account titled “Public Service Announcement” on Wednesday.

Dr. Ezekwesili criticized the recently enacted Bill, which reintroduces Nigeria’s old National Anthem, labeling it as “obnoxious and repugnant to all that is of good conscience in Nigeria.”

This legislative change follows the swift passage of the National Anthem Bill 2024 by the National Assembly last week. On Wednesday, Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced that President Bola Tinubu had signed the Bill into law.

Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, had earlier voiced his opposition to the Bill’s rapid passage, noting the lack of public consultation.

Reacting to the development, Dr. Ezekwesili asserted, “Let it be known to all and sundry that I, Obiageli ‘Oby’ Ezekwesili, shall whenever asked to sing the Nigerian National Anthem sing:

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.

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.”