Nigeria’s National Anthem Bill Sparks Outrage: Prominent Figures Criticize Proposed Legislation
A controversial bill proposing a 10-year prison sentence for those who refuse to recite Nigeria’s national anthem has sparked widespread criticism from prominent national figures. The bill, sponsored by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, is set for its second reading in the House of Representatives, where its general principles will be debated.
The bill was signed into law by President Bola Tinubu in May, reverting to Nigeria’s old national anthem, which was dropped by a military government in 1978. The newly re-adopted anthem, written by Lillian Jean Williams in 1959 and composed by Frances Berda, begins with the words “Nigeria, We Hail Thee.”
The bill stipulates that anyone found guilty of destroying national symbols, refusing to recite the national anthem and pledge, defacing a place of worship with intent to incite violence, or undermining the Federal Government shall face a fine of N5 million, a 10-year prison sentence, or both. It also outlines penalties for other offenses, including setting up illegal roadblocks, performing unauthorized traffic duties, or organizing unlawful processions.
Nigerian Activist Aisha Yesufu, who was seen sitting while the anthem was being recited in May, has continued to express her opposition to the bill. In a recent tweet, she stated that she would rather spend 20 years in prison than sing the new national anthem, calling it “Tinubu’s anthem passed by slaves masquerading as lawmakers in the National Assembly.”
Former Minister for Solid Minerals Obiageli Ezekwesili also weighed in on the issue, tweeting that she would continue to sing “Arise O Compatriots” as her national anthem, rather than the newly re-adopted anthem. She criticized the bill, saying that it was a “silly flight of fancy” that revealed the lawmakers’ irrelevance to the Nigerian condition.
The controversy surrounding the bill has sparked a heated debate on social media, with many Nigerians expressing their opposition to the proposed legislation. The bill’s critics argue that it is an attack on individual freedom and a attempt to impose a particular ideology on the country.
As the bill moves forward, it remains to be seen how the Nigerian government will respond to the growing criticism. One thing is certain, however: the debate over the national anthem bill has sparked a national conversation about the importance of individual freedom and the role of government in shaping the country’s identity.
