By Kayode Araba
Thus, the Chairman Senate committee on judiciary, human rights and legal matters on Monday observed that a new national anthem will inspire the citizenry to build a fully integrated and indivisible nation, where citizens will live in unity and harmony.
However, Monguno spoke at the public hearing on the bill for an act to provide for the national anthem of Nigeria and related matters (SB 461) of the senate joint committees on judiciary, human rights and legal matters and committee on federal character and inter governmental affairs.
He said recall that the Nigerian Senate on Thursday passed for second reading a bill for an act to provide for the national anthem of Nigeria.
According to Monguno, the decision to alter a nation’s anthem is not one to be taken with levity, pointing out that it reflects the very essence of “our national identity and heritage”.
Furthermore, he said that the bill in a nutshell seeks to make provision for Nigeria to revert to its old national anthem that would promote better symbol for unity, peace and prosperity compared to the current one”.
Meanwhile, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio applauded the joint committees for providing the platform on the propose change of the national anthem he said National anthem is not just a mere melody but symbol of Nigeria saying it reflects our diverse culture.
Akpabio, represented by the Senate leader, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti central) said the public hearing was to essentially look at the merits of the bill.
Also speaking, the Attorney General of the federation and minister of justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) said the national anthem is a symbol of national identity, adding that for most African countries, it symbolises the end of colonialism.
