Although returning to the old National Anthem is not a problem because it contains some gracious, patriotic and prayerful words, Nigerians, especially politicians should stop rubbishing some phrases, the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja Diocese, Most Rev Ignatius Kaigama, has said.

He also called on the nation's leaders to ensure they the hasty passing of the National Anthem Bill with accelerated presidential endorsement ushers in a revolutionary transformation in governance and an unprecedented emancipation from hunger, poverty, insecurity, disease and violence.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed the National Anthem Bill, replacing the ‘Arise O Compatriots’ with the old version, ‘Nigeria We Hail Thee’.

Kaigama, in his Homily titled, “Corpus Christi – Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ”, delivered at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Piwoyi, Abuja, said by reverting to the former National Anthem, the socio-economic fortunes of the country should also change for the better.

He said: “The first reading today refers to the old covenant between God and His people Israel, achieved by Moses sprinkling the blood of a sacrificed animal on the altar and on the people. The Gospel dwells on the new and eternal covenant, while the second reading contrasts the old covenant (based on animal sacrifices) with the new covenant (through Christ’s sacrifice).

“In the Holy Eucharist, Jesus invites the saints and sinners; the afflicted and pained; the young and old, the rich and poor. A worthy reception therefore should bring about a transformation in life and conduct. In like manner, we expect a sincere change each time Nigerian officials make the national pledge, take the oath of office, or sing the national anthem. It is very amazing how officials soon forget or ignore such phrases as: “I pledge to Nigeria my country. To be faithful, loyal, and honest” and turn around to fatally wound the nation and its people by acts of blatant corruption and gross dishonesty.

“While returning to the old National Anthem is not a problem for me, because it contains some gracious, patriotic, and prayerful words, the fact is that many of us, unfortunately, rubbish these phrases: ‘In brotherhood we stand’, ‘let truth and justice reign’, ‘build a nation where no man is oppressed’ in the unholy and nauseating acts of corruption witnessed in private and public lives.

“The people of Israel in the desert grumbled against Moses and against God. Their suffering lasted only 40 years. The journey of Nigeria through the desert of poverty and suffering seems to be going on for more than sixty years, since independence in 1960. By reverting to our former National Anthem, we hope that our political leaders will allow our socio-economic fortunes to change for the better too; we should progress from religious and tribal parochialism to genuine patriotism; merit should prevail when interviews are conducted for employment, promotion, admission, political appointments, etc., instead of relying heavily on the recommendations of godfathers or godmothers.

“When a criminal is arrested for corruption, kidnapping, violence, or terrorism, such a person should not be assisted to evade justice because he/she is the son or daughter of a certain tribe or belongs to a certain religion. We hope that the hasty passing of the National Anthem Bill with accelerated presidential endorsement will usher in a revolutionary transformation in governance and an unprecedented emancipation from hunger, poverty, insecurity, disease, violence, etc.”

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