The Nigerian national team will not only have a new permanent manager in the dugout for their next internationals, they will also line up to a different tune, as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed a bill to change the country’s anthem into law.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria will next be in action on June 3rd when they will face Bafana Bafana in CAF’s World Cup qualifiers.
As is customary in international fixtures, the national anthems of the competing teams are sung at the start, with the players lining up shoulder to shoulder before exchanging pleasantries.
Since 1978 till date, the Green Eagles, who subsequently became the Super Eagles, have sung the Pa Benedict Odiase-composed anthem, “Arise O’ Compatriots.”
This anthem has been the nation’s tune for 46 years and has been played at the Olympics, World Cups, AFCONs, All African Games, Commonwealth Games and all other sporting events with Nigerian representation during that period. That is now set to change, as the government has passed a bill to revert to the previous anthem.
Not-so-new anthem for Nigeria and Super Eagles
As a British colony, Nigeria’s anthem before independence was “God Save The Queen.” Upon independence in 1960, however, a change was required, and the country had a new anthem that represented her newfound sovereignty “Nigeria, We Hail Thee.”
The anthem was changed to “Arise O’ Compatriots” in 1978; however, per Arise News, the Nigerian legislative and executive arms of government have officially reverted to the erstwhile:
Lyrics of “New” Nigerian National Anthem
Nigeria, we hail thee,
Our own dear native land,
Though tribe and tongue may differ,
In brotherhood, we stand,
Nigerians all, and proud to serve
Our sovereign Motherland.
Our flag shall be a symbol
That truth and justice reign,
In peace or battle honour’d,
And this we count as gain,
To hand on to our children
A banner without stain. O God of all creation,
Grant this our one request,
Help us to build a nation
Where no man is oppressed,
And so with peace and plenty
Nigeria may be blessed.
The Super Eagles have World Cup qualifiers on June 7th and 12th against South Africa and the Benin Republic, and this new anthem will be used as required by law.
Also, the Nigerian contingent for the coming Summer Olympics will also have to brush up on “Nigeria, We Hail Thee.”
