Member representing Ibarapa Central and Ibarapa North Federal Constituency, Hon. (Dr.) Anthony Adebayo Adepoju, has represented Speaker of the Nigerian House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, PhD, at the unveiling of the book “In Brotherhood We Stand: Nigeria’s National Anthem Beyond Melody,” held on February 20, 2025, at the Banquet Hall, Villa, Abuja.
Hon. Adepoju, who joined other national figures at the national event on Thursday, stated that there is no better time than now to discuss Nigeria’s unity: “This is a period where there is a lot of agitation in every part of the country, and we must all believe in this project called Nigeria.”
Delivering the keynote speech of Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, Hon. Adepoju expressed that on May 29, 2024, under the leadership of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, Nigeria took a historic step by reintroducing our original National Anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee.” The lawmaker read that the development was not merely an act of nostalgia but a deliberate and bold move to reconnect us with our foundational values, to remind us of our collective aspirations, and to inspire a renewed sense of national pride.
The speech of the Rt. Hon. Speaker, as read by Hon. Adepoju, detailed the significance of teaching history from primary up until tertiary level in order to preserve the country’s past events as well as the efforts of the Nigerian House of Representatives in enacting laws and policies that promote national unity, civic responsibility, and moral uprightness.
“To truly embed these values in our national consciousness, civic education must take centre stage in our schools. Our young people must understand their rights and responsibilities as citizens. They must be taught the history of our nation, the struggles and triumphs that have shaped us, and the sacrifices of those who came before us. This is why the House of Representatives fully supports the reintroduction of History as a core subject in our schools. A nation that does not know its past cannot effectively navigate its future.
“In addition, we must reinforce social values through legislative action. As representatives of the people, the House of Representatives is committed to enacting laws and policies that promote national unity, civic responsibility, and moral uprightness. Some of our key legislative interventions in this regard include the National Civic Education Bill, which seeks to make civic education compulsory in schools to deepen knowledge of citizenship and national values. The History Education Reinforcement Bill aims at institutionalising the study of Nigerian history at all levels of education. The National Symbols Protection Bill will ensure that our national symbols, including the anthem and flag, are respected and upheld in all spheres of national life. The Youth Development and Patriotism Bill is designed to encourage active youth participation in national development through structured mentorship and leadership training.
“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the author of this book for undertaking this noble and commendable effort. Your work is a significant contribution to our national discourse and a reminder of the power of literature in shaping the consciousness of a people. I encourage more scholars, writers, and thought leaders to embark on similar ventures that deepen our understanding of Nigeria’s identity, values, and aspirations,” the speech read in part.
Read the full text of the RT. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, PhD, as read by Hon. (Dr.) Anthony Adebayo Adepoju at the unveiling of the book “In Brotherhood We Stand: Nigeria’s National Anthem Beyond Melody.”
SPEECH BY RT. HON. TAJUDEEN ABBAS, PhD., SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, AT THE UNVEILING OF THE BOOK “IN BROTHERHOOD WE STAND: NIGERIA’S NATIONAL ANTHEM BEYOND MELODY,” HELD ON 20TH FEBRUARY, 2025, AT THE BANQUET HALL, VILLA.
PROTOCOLS
It is with immense pride and a deep sense of patriotism that I stand before you today at the unveiling of this important book, In Brotherhood We Stand: Nigeria’s National Anthem Beyond Melody. This book is both timely and necessary, as it reflects on one of the most defining symbols of our national identity, our National Anthem.
On May 29, 2024, under the visionary leadership of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, Nigeria, took a historic step by reintroducing our original National Anthem, Nigeria, We Hail Thee. This was not merely an act of nostalgia; it was a deliberate and bold move to reconnect us with our foundational values, to remind us of our collective aspirations, and to inspire a renewed sense of national pride.
The lyrics of Nigeria, We Hail Thee resonate deeply with the ideals of unity, strength, and patriotism. They call on us to embrace our duty to one another, to see beyond our differences, and to build a country anchored on peace, justice, and progress. These words should not merely be sung; they must be internalised and lived out in our daily interactions as citizens.
The anthem’s opening line, Nigeria, we hail thee, our own dear native land, is a solemn declaration of love and reverence for this great nation. It reminds us that, despite our challenges, Nigeria is ours to cherish, protect, and develop. The call to though tribes and tongues may differ, in brotherhood we stand is an appeal to our shared humanity, our diversity, and the strength that lies in our unity.
Indeed, Nigeria is an extraordinary nation. We are blessed with immense human and natural resources. Our people have excelled globally in various fields, including science, technology, literature, sports, and the arts. We see the brilliance of Nigerians in the global tech industry, in diplomatic circles, in music and entertainment, and in academia. Our athletes and artists are global icons, our professionals are shaping industries, and our entrepreneurs are innovating in ways that command international admiration. Despite these achievements, Nigeria has often been misrepresented, reduced to a single narrative of challenges, corruption, and strife. It is time we reclaim our story, and what better way to do so than by instilling in every Nigerian, especially our young ones, a profound understanding of the ideals encapsulated in our anthem? This is why I commend President Tinubu for the foresight and courage to restore this anthem. His decision goes beyond symbolism, as it is an invitation to introspection, to civic responsibility, and to nation-building. The anthem is not just a song; it is a philosophy, a vision, and a call to action for every citizen.
To truly embed these values in our national consciousness, civic education must take centre stage in our schools. Our young people must understand their rights and responsibilities as citizens. They must be taught the history of our nation, the struggles and triumphs that have shaped us, and the sacrifices of those who came before us. This is why the House of Representatives fully supports the reintroduction of History as a core subject in our schools. A nation that does not know its past cannot effectively navigate its future.
In addition, we must reinforce social values through legislative action. As representatives of the people, the House of Representatives is committed to enacting laws and policies that promote national unity, civic responsibility, and moral uprightness. Some of our key legislative interventions in this regard include the National Civic Education Bill, which seeks to make civic education compulsory in schools to deepen knowledge of citizenship and national values. The History Education Reinforcement Bill aims at institutionalising the study of Nigerian history at all levels of education. The National Symbols Protection Bill will ensure that our national symbols, including the anthem and flag, are respected and upheld in all spheres of national life. The Youth Development and Patriotism Bill is designed to encourage active youth participation in national development through structured mentorship and leadership training.
Beyond legislation, we must also take deliberate steps to foster national consciousness through cultural and media platforms. Our media, filmmakers, and content creators have a crucial role to play in reshaping the Nigerian narrative, promoting stories of resilience, achievement, and national pride. Let us celebrate what is good about Nigeria, our rich heritage, our entrepreneurial spirit, and our unyielding hope for a brighter tomorrow.
As we unveil this book today, let it serve as both a guide and a challenge to us all. Let it challenge us to move beyond mere rhetoric and take concrete steps towards national transformation. Let it inspire us to be better citizens, to teach the younger generation about the greatness of our country, and to work collectively towards the Nigeria of our dreams.
I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the author of this book for undertaking this noble and commendable effort. Your work is a significant contribution to our national discourse and a reminder of the power of literature in shaping the consciousness of a people. I encourage more scholars, writers, and thought leaders to embark on similar ventures that deepen our understanding of Nigeria’s identity, values, and aspirations.
Nigeria, we hail thee! And we do so not just in words, but in deeds. May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
May God bless us all. Thank you.
