By Oladotun Fadeyiye
Nigeria is my country of birth and I’m so proud of that, anywhere. This is because I know who I am and I know my people. We hardly settle for less.
I know our resilience and doggedness in the face of any challenge or calamity transcend the shores of our nation. We can pull anything off anywhere!
An average Nigerian is known for his or her excellent spirit, boldness and courage anywhere you find one.
We are truly the giant of Africa!
However, at this juncture, will it be right to say, we are truly the giant we profess, in all ramifications or partially??
Perhaps my following views would provide satisfying answers to that.
Let me start by asking:
Have we finally allowed the labour of all our heroes past to be in vain?
I think it would only be fair to ask that question because I know that has been one of the questions on the lips of many Nigerians right now, with the current administration reverting to the old National anthem.
Till now, most Nigerians still couldn’t grasp why the old anthem should be the next agenda in the scheme of things.
In spite of a myriad of economic challenges tussling with our national development and growth.
Now, it is commendable if the National Assembly had decided we abandoned the previous national anthem, out of sheer passion to drive national cohesion as well as to foster unity however, It would rather be more commendable if a newly composed anthem had beeen introduced.
I say this with all confidence, looking at the caliber of songwriters we have in Nigeria today.
There is no way we won’t have a powerfully crafted anthem considering the tons of iconic world class artistes that this country can boast of, in all genres.
Why going back to the old anthem when a new one can be composed?? if our artistes are properly engaged, I can bet, we would have a better anthem that will even break old records.
That being said, personally, I feel reverting to old anthem is a ploy to distract the masses as usual.
A well thought-out agenda to get us busy in order to shift our focus from what is happening to the economy.
The economy is at its worst nose-diving state where food security is seriously threatened not to talk of the money to purchase these unavailable foods.
Furthermore, before reverting to the old anthem, I feel it would have been crucial, if these lawmakers had taken a cursory look at the historical events that took place when this old but newly embraced anthem were being actively used.
Retrospectively, it is more important to examine the incidences that prompted the nation to dump this old anthem for the previous one that was discarded.
Were these events in favor of our dear nation or not?
Were they good occurrences??
Were they worthy to be in history book of our country?
This is why they say history will always be critical to national cohesion.
Many years ago, I recall reading in the news, what had become of the man who composed this previously abandoned national anthem.
It was said that the composer, Pa Odiase had written the song in 1978 as some sort of contribution and appreciation to the then administration. But years after such a feat, was he remembered and celebrated for his contributions to his fatherland?
It took the interventions of many journalists who gave him the necessary visibility for him to be remembered and honored with the Order of the Niger (OON) in 2001 by former President Obasanjo, after several years.
Years later, in 2013, he died a forgotten hero!
And today, his little contribution to his beloved country has been discarded.
This is why it is important to ask again: Are the labour of our heroes past not in vain already?