Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mike Ozekhome, has backed the return to Nigeria's old national anthem, "Nigeria, We Hail Thee". Ozekhome described the change as a significant and positive development that was long overdue.
He noted that he had proposed reverting to the old anthem at the 2014 National Conference, where his motion was hotly debated by the 492 delegates and carried. Ozekhome argued that the old anthem has better lyrics in context and content compared to the current "Arise O Compatriots".
The lawyer also called on President Bola Tinubu's administration to consider a comprehensive rebranding of the nation by changing Nigeria's name and national flag.
According to him, the current green and white Nigerian flag is too bland and not inspirational compared to the flags of the US, South Africa, and the UK.
Ozekhome proposed changing Nigeria's name to "Airegen" (Nigeria spelled backwards) at the 2014 National Conference, but it was shut down. He demanded recognition and appreciation be given to the delegates and heads of the 2014 National Conference.
The readoption of the old anthem has sparked concerns among Nigerians, with former Minister of Education Oby Ezekwesili vowing not to revert to the old anthem. The "Nigeria, We Hail Thee" anthem was used from 1960 when Nigeria gained independence until it was replaced by "Arise, O Compatriots" in 1978.
