AGF Fagbemi, despite Monguno’s assurance of completing the legislative process, has urged broader discussions on anthem change. Lateef Fagbemi, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, advised the National Assembly’s leadership to engage in wider consultations before passing the bill aimed at reinstating the old National Anthem.
Fagbemi shared this advice during a public hearing on the Bill, organized by the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters, chaired by Senator Tahir Monguno.
However, Monguno, the Committee Chairman, stated that the National Assembly had fulfilled all necessary requirements to pass the National Anthem Bill.
Additionally, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, suggested expanding the scope to address broader issues of national identity, rather than focusing solely on changing the national anthem.
Furthermore, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, along with other patriots, supported the initiative to replace the current “Arise O Compatriots” National Anthem with “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” which the country adopted in October 1960.
The National Anthem Bill has already passed the third reading in the House of Representatives, while the Senate passed it for the second reading last week and referred it to its panel for further legislative actions.
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