Arise, O Compatriots
Former National anthem of ![]() | |
Lyrics | John A. Ilechukwu, Eme Etim Akpan, B. A. Ogunnaike, Sota Omoigui and P. O. Aderibigbe, 1978 |
---|---|
Music | Nigerian Police Band under the directorship of B. E. Odiasse, 1990 |
Adopted | 1978 |
Relinquished | 29 May 2024 |
Succeeded by | Nigeria, We Hail Thee |
Audio sample | |
Arise, O Compatriots |
Arise, O Compatriots was the second national anthem of Nigeria, used from 1 October 1978 until 2024 after Nigeria, We Hail Thee was relinquished. On 29 May 2024, "Arise, O Compatriots" was officially relinquished followed by the readoption of the first national anthem, "Nigeria, We Hail Thee" used from 1960 until 1978[1]
History
[edit]The anthem was adopted in 1978 and replaced the previous national anthem, "Nigeria, We Hail Thee".[2]
The lyrics are a combination of words and phrases taken from five of the best entries in a national contest. The words were put to music by the Nigerian Police Band under the directorship of Benedict P. Odiase (1934–2013). The Nigerian national anthem lyrics were created by five people: P. O. Aderibigbe, John A. Ilechukwu, Dr. Sota Omoigui, Eme Etim Akpan and B.A. Ogunnaike.
On 29 May 2024, "Arise, O Compatriots" was officially relinquished following a bill passed by the National Assembly and subsequently signed into law by president Bola Tinubu. It was replaced by "Nigeria, We Hail Thee", Nigeria’s first national anthem.[3][1]
Lyrics
[edit]Although the anthem has two verses, usually only the first is sung. On some occasions, the second verse is recited as "The National Prayer".
English original[4] | Hausa translation | Igbo translation |
---|---|---|
I |
I |
I |
Yoruba translation[5] | Fulani translation | Tyap translation |
---|---|---|
I |
I |
I |
National Pledge
[edit]The Nigerian pledge of allegiance is recited immediately after the playing of the Nigerian national anthem. It was written by Felicia Adebola Adeyoyin in 1976.[6]
English original | Hausa translation | Yoruba translation | Tyap translation |
---|---|---|---|
I pledge to Nigeria, my country |
Na yi wa Najeriya alƙawarin ƙasata |
Mo ṣeleri fun Nàìjíríà orilẹ-ede mi |
N da̱p a̱nu ma̱ng Naijeriya, a̱byin nung ka. |
References
[edit]- ^ a b Akpan, Samuel (29 May 2024). "Tinubu signs bill returning Nigeria back to using the old national anthem". The Cable. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
- ^ "Nigeria's National Anthem Composer, Pa Ben Odiase, Dies". Gazelle News. 2013-06-12. Archived from the original on 2017-09-27. Retrieved 2013-07-08.
- ^ AriseNews (2024-05-29). "National Assembly Passes Bill to Change National Anthem from 'Arise O Compatriots' to 'Nigeria, We Hail Thee'". Arise News. Retrieved 2024-06-02.
- ^ "National Anthem". Embassy of Nigeria, Hungary. Retrieved 2022-02-11.
- ^ "Awọn aami Orilẹ-ede Naijiria ati Ohun ti Wọn Aṣoju Imudojuiwọn Titun". Current School News (in Yoruba). 2021-06-16. Retrieved 2022-02-11.
- ^ Mbamalu, Socrates (3 May 2021). "Prof. Felicia Adeyoyin, Author of Nigeria's National Pledge, Dies at 83". Foundation For Investigative Journalism.
- ^ "Nigerian National Anthem". Nigeria High Commission UK. Retrieved 2022-02-19.