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By: Hameed Ajibola Jimoh, Esq.
On May 29, 2024, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria- President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-, upon a successful passage of a new National Anthem Bill, 2024, by the National Assembly of Nigeria, signed or assented to the Bill, which aims to reinstate or revert to the old National Anthem. Some of the general public have criticized this step of reinstating or reverting to the old already repealed National Anthem, while some applauded the idea. In my humble case, I wish to humbly align myself with those who have applauded this idea though in a different perspective. My humble perspective for applauding the idea of the Act is founded on the facts (from my observations) that the new National Anthem reinforces the call for ‘upholding human rights’, hence, in my humble view, the National Anthem (in comparison with the just repealed National Anthem) is better a symbol for the ‘call for protection of human rights by Nigerians’. Hence, this topic.
The National Anthem contains three (3) stanzas and each of the stanzas emphasizes protection of human rights. The National Anthem is a symbol on its own symbolizing that each of the lines is being read by all Nigerians just like the Preamble to the Nigerian Constitution, 1999 (as amended) which provides that ‘WE THE PEOPLE OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA…’. The National Anthem analysed by me goes thus:
THE FIRST STANZA
Nigeria we hail thee, (my explanation: this line is a call on Nigerians to be proud of their country or nation. It is not an overstatement to say that ‘one can not hail what one is not proud of’, hence, it is a call on all Nigerians to be proud of their nation). It is a call for national recognition by her citizens.
Our own dear native land, (my explanation: this line reemphasises the need to be proud of Nigeria by all Nigerians because it remains their native land. The word ‘dear’ is a show of: affection; compassion; love; obedience; recognition; submission; etc. to the native land; which also means that the word ‘dear’ is an assurance of how much Nigeria is to be recognized by the ‘Nigerian’ as his native land. The land therefore also means ‘country’.
Though tribe and tongue may differ,
In brotherhood we stand, (my explanations on lines: 3 and 4: the two lines are calls for brotherhood and halting the need to shed bloods of fellow citizens for whatever personal gains. It is also to call citizens not to allow enemies to infiltrate or penetrate their unity by calling for the shedding of the blood of one another. The two lines call on citizens not to betray each other or one another for any selfish or personal benefit. Regardless of the difference in ‘tribe and tongue’ (i.e. languages; dialects; etc.), all citizens should remain brothers to one another. It would be observed that these two ‘tribe’ and ‘tongue’ are the two most dividing tools that enemies have always used to divide Nigerians. There have always been disagreements founded on these two identified phenomena.).
Nigerians all, and proud to serve
Our sovereign Motherland. (my explanations of lines: 5 and 6: these two lines unite with the earlier 1st line of the stanza. It is an emphasis that Nigerians should remain proud of their ‘sovereign Motherland’ called ‘Nigeria’. In line two, it calls the land ‘native land’. Here in line 6, it calls it ‘Motherland’. Also, the ‘japa syndrome’ affecting some Nigerians who abandon their Motherland to seek greener pastures oversees should be discouraged and should stop, henceforth! There is nowhere where motherly compassion of Nigerian citizens can be got than in their Motherland! Nigeria is full of bounties that are ready to be explored! Every Nigerian should be proud of the nation because what Nigeria has are enough and more than those needed for every citizen and their generations yet to come to maintain a good standard of living and be fine. This also re-emphasises ‘civic duties’ of Nigerians. It is the duties of every Nigerian to remain patriotic of the country; not to dent the image or name of Nigeria; abide by the Constitution of Nigeria, respect its ideals and its institutions, the National Flag, the National Anthem, the National Pledge, and legitimate authorities; help to enhance the power, prestige and good name of Nigeria, defend Nigeria and render such national service as may be required; upholds her honour and glory and be a good ambassador of Nigeria anywhere he finds himself; respect the dignity of other citizens and the rights and legitimate interests of others and live in unity and harmony and in the spirit of common brotherhood; make positive and useful contribution to the advancement, progress and well-being of the community where he resides; render assistance to appropriate and lawful agencies in the maintenance of law and order; declare his income honestly to appropriate and lawful agencies and pay his tax promptly; etc.). all these are signs of good ‘service’ or a show of a Nigerian being proud to ‘serve’ Nigeria.
THE SECOND STANZA:
‘Our flag shall be a symbol’ (my explanations: this is to draw the attention of every Nigerian to the fact that the ‘Nigerian National Flag’ is not just a mere ‘cloth’ or ‘fabric’ to be raised to fly in the sky, rather it is a ‘symbol’ which symbolises about something very important to the nation and her citizens. Hence, the alleged attitudes of some Nigerians who would like to use the National Flag to sew clothes and wear to anywhere they like and when same is worn out, throw same into the waste bin; stepping on the Flag; using the Flag cloth as a means of cleaning faeces in the absence of water or at will; etc., all these are betrayal of the national interest and goals.
That truth and justice reign, (my explanations: one of the foremost of the symbol that the National Flag symbolizes are: ‘truth’ and ‘justice’. Hence, every citizen is being encouraged to always stand for the ‘truth’ no matter who is concerned or against whom such truth is to be said or told. It calls on every one standing as ‘witness’ or deposing to an affidavit in the court of law or before a notary public or any authority authorized by law to take oath or tribunal or panel to always bear a ‘witness of truth’, saying the truth and nothing but the truth. It also calls on our courts of law and politicians to always maintain truth. Manifestos to the electorates and masses should not be in disguise or to deceive the people. Also, the courts of law should make sure that their decisions are always based on the truth of the matters before the courts. Also, ‘justice’ is the second most important symbol. Everyone is encouraged to stand for ‘justice’ and let ‘justice’ be for ‘all’. There should be no discrimination on justice on the ground of: race; ethnicity; birth; colour; religion; background; influence; nepotism; favouritism; status; etc. In ‘justice’ all should be viewed as being ‘equal before the law’. No one shall be above the law. Hence, the law must rule against or upon all. This reechoes the importance of the doctrine or principles of the ‘RULE OF LAW’. Therefore, our courts are courts of justice; Courts of equity. The concerns of a court of law is to do ‘justice’ withiout ill-will, bias or resentment. A Judge is to remain umpire and neutral in the case before it. Lack of justice leads to chaos and jungle justice. The court of law is the last hope of the common man, hence, the justice must be both subjectively and objectively manifest to have been done in the reasoning of a reasonable man of the society. A court of law must decide every case before it judiciously and judicially. Also, ‘bribery’ and ‘corruption’ are two cankerworms that have to be annihilated in the Nigerian system and maintenance of law and order should be encouraged at all times which stand for ‘truth and justice’.
In peace or battle honour’d,
And this we count as gain, (my explanations: these two lines emphasise that both in peace and battle ‘truth and justice’ shall be upheld. Hence, these two shall be honoured always. Our gallant officers too should carry out their executive roles based on ‘truth and justice’, without abuse of powers and or oppression. Citizens should remain protected by the law and enforcement agencies of government and not to be used as instruments of oppression against those citizens they are established to protect. ‘Rapes’ and ‘killings’ as well as ‘unlawful arrest or detention’ of innocent citizens without a court order lawfully sought and obtained are violation of human rights. Citizens should be able to freely enjoy their liberty and right to free movement in any area in Nigeria except as may be restricted by law. ‘Respect for human dignity’ of the citizens is one of those principles of truth and justice. ‘Bias’ on religious differences, is an injustice and so shall be shunned by all. These achievements we count as gain or national achievement or success.
To hand on to our children
A banner without stain. (my explanations: these two lines emphasise the importance of ‘truth and justice’ as inheritable assets by generations of Nigerians yet to come. These are two important gains that our generations should gain from us. Handing on to the generations to come, a banner without stain or stained with unlawful bloodshed or genocide. ‘Crimes against humanity’ should not be a banner to be handed to the generations yet to come. No more civil war or gory war in Nigeria. If Nigeria is destroyed (may God Almighty forbid), there would be no nation to be called ‘Nigeria’ where the generations to come could be bold to be part of.).
THE THIRD STANZA
O God of all creation, (my explanations: this line enphasises the religiousity of Nigerians. Nigerians hold God Almighty in high esteem and would always consult God in all that they do. God is the Only Hope of Nigerians. Nigerians are religious people. Hence, the line call on God Almighty for His aid.
Grant this our one request, (my explanations: this line makes a divine request in prayer to God Almighty).
Help us to build a nation
Where no man is oppressed, (my explanations: these two lines running into each other symbolize prayers to God Almighty to help and come to the aid of Nigerians to build Nigeria to be a nation where no man is oppressed. ‘Torture’ is also a form of oppression. ‘Oppression’ is a crime against humanity and a violation of the human rights of the Nigerian citizens. No man shall oppress another. The human right of a citizen stops where the human right of another begins. Hence, no man shall dominate or oppress another. Where ‘oppression’ exists, it is a show of ‘chaos’ and unending war against humanity. Hence, Nigerians deserve: unity; peace; and progress; love of one another; brotherhood; respect for the human rights of another; etc.
And so with peace and plenty
Nigeria may be blessed. (my explanations: these two lines also pray for peace to reign in Nigeria. This is the second time ‘peace’ is mentioned in the National Anthem. The first one indicates ‘time of peace’ while this second ‘peace’ is a prayer to God Almighty. Both aid each other. The stanza ends with prayer for Nigeria to be blessed. Hence, the prayer for all Nigerians to pray for Nigeria at all time is ‘God bless Nigeria’, which is good prayer. This also stands as the ‘National pledge’ for Nigeria. If Nigeria is blessed, the blessings encapsulates her citizens. The citizens are the ones being blessed by God Almighty because no nation exists on her own without her citizens who make up the nation, else, such nation would not different from an ‘empty island’.
Finally, I hope that every Nigerian would make out time and sacrifice to learn this National Anthem out of love and pride for Nigeria. Let us all unite to lift Nigeria high in true patriotism.
May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria and her citizens.
Email: hameed_ajibola@yahoo.com 08168292549.
