Comrade Faduri Oluwadare Joseph, also known as Fadojoe, the leader of the Rescue Movement For New Nigeria (also known as Rescue The Vulnerable Initiative) and a presidential aspirant under the Labour Party, has strongly condemned the proposal to revert to the old national anthem. He argues that such a move would impose a colonial mindset on Nigerians.
In his first live broadcast on Thursday, May 30, 2024, from the USA on RESCUE TV, the online television station of his group, Fadojoe expressed his disappointment over what he sees as a misplaced priority by the lawmakers. He criticized them for focusing on changing the national anthem instead of addressing the country’s pressing issues.
“It is with a saddened heart I come to you today as Nigerian lawmakers, amidst a series of crises rocking our nation, see no reason to tackle these issues head-on but instead waste our country’s resources to revert to our old national anthem, ‘Nigeria We Hail Thee,’ given to us in 1960 by British expatriate Miss Lilian Williams. This anthem, born out of Miss Lilian’s experience of Nigeria as a colonized state in 1959, was used until 1978 when Nigerians came together to create a new anthem that represents the country’s people,” Fadojoe said.
He provided a historical context, explaining that during General Olusegun Obasanjo’s regime in 1978, the current national anthem, ‘Arise O Compatriots,’ was adopted. This anthem, according to Fadojoe, “captures the heritage, values, culture, and identity of Nigeria, reflecting the country’s aspirations, cultural heritage, unity, and pride.” He noted that the lyrics were composed by Nigerians P. O. Aderibigbe, John Illechukwu, Dr. Sota, and Emem T Apa, with the music composed by the Nigerian Police.
Fadojoe emphasized that the current anthem has been in use since October 1, 1978, and represents the country’s 250 ethnic groups. He criticized the lawmakers for wanting to return to an anthem that symbolizes colonialism, questioning their motives and priorities.
“Does it mean that all that is important to our lawmakers is a national anthem that a Colonial Master gave to us? Were they promised money by Britain to return to that anthem? What makes that old national anthem more important than all the crises rocking our nation? What makes an anthem given to us by foreigners better than the one created and composed by our own people?” Fadojoe questioned.
He lamented the decision, calling it shameful and urging the President to reject the proposal. “We should promote things done by Nigerians, not by foreigners. I appeal to Mr. President to send the proposal back to lawmakers and maintain ‘Arise O Compatriots,’ a national anthem that represents us as a people,” he said.
Fadojoe concluded with a hopeful message, expressing confidence that someday Nigeria will have leaders who prioritize the nation’s important issues. “May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Rescue Movement For New Nigeria, and all of us,” he concluded.
