Reintroduced National Anthem: It is not our priority - Nigerians

Against the background of President Bola Tinubu's signing to law the earlier used National Anthem: "Nigeria We Hail Thee", many Nigerians have continued to react to this development just as many  students said, they are learning the new National Anthem but yet to master it.

Among those who react to this development are the Vice Principal of Ighogbadu Secondary School, in Warri South Local Government Area, Nwosu Francisca. She said, the Anthem is not a bad one, but Federal Government of Nigeria has better things to focus on than bringing back the ancient National Anthem. According to her, there are many challenges that have bedevilled the country at the moment, not National Anthem, saying the reintroduction of old National Anthem is going back to Egypt. 

She stressed that the Federal Government should focus on challenges such as high cost of foodstuffs, epileptic power supply, high cost of premium motor spirit which has neccesitated high of transportation and foodstuffs among others.

In her words: "To me, there was no need for reintroduction of the old National Anthem, there are challenges Nigerians' are facing right now such as  high cost of living occasioned by high cost of fuel...our reintroduction of the old National Anthem is going back to Egypt."

She however said although, it is not easy for the students to master it but with time, they would do as they have started teaching them. 

"Every thing depends on the state of mind, with time, the students will master it because we have started to teach them," she said.

In the same vein, in Royal College, Warri, a classroom teacher, Agadagba Love, also bared his mind. He said, though, they, as  corporate organization, are yet to hear from the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education to implement the new National Anthem saying, they would  do that after they have got the directive.

In his personal opinion, he said that the reintroduction of old National Anthem was not the best thing as there are more pressing issues that Federal Government should have focused on than the reintroduction of the old National Anthem. According to him, the high cost of living is more of a priority. 

He emphasized that, instead of government to bring down the prices of cement which has skyrocketed, petroleum products, settle the minimum wages, and others, it is talking about National Anthem. He added that he loved the just abandoned National Anthem than the one just signed into law.

His words:" l love the just abandoned National Anthem', it is more of a prayer, who knows if that is why God has been having mercy on Nigeria?" 

Many other Nigerians who spoke to PEBNEWS aligned with the views that Federal Government should have focused on Nigerians' pressing needs rather than National Anthem.

They therefore appealed to the federal government to tackle the more pressing issues plaguing Nigerians  at the moment.

On the part of the students, they said they love the reintroduced National Anthem but they are yet to master it.