Report by Dayo Emmanuel.
Pastor Wale Adefarasin, the former Chairman of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Lagos State chapter, and Pastor of Guiding Light Assembly, Park View, Ikoyi, Lagos, has called on Nigerian leaders and populace to embrace and imbibe the message in the recently returned 1960 national anthem.
In an insightful discussion with the Network of African Christian Journalists (NACJOURN) over the weekend, Adefarasin highlighted the significance of the 1960 anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” over the 1978 military one, “Arise, O Compatriots.”
Reflecting on his childhood, Adefarasin recalled the unity among Nigeria’s diverse tribes and tongues. “Even at the age of eight, I knew we had different tribes. Though tribes and tongues may differ, in brotherhood we stand,” he said, emphasizing that the terms ‘tribes’ and ‘tongues,’ despite their colonial connotations, are used positively in the anthem to signify unity.
Addressing concerns about the term ‘motherland’ in the anthem, Adefarasin defended its usage, explaining that it symbolizes deep-rooted affection and protection akin to that for one’s mother. “We’ve always been protective of our mothers… I don’t see what’s wrong with ‘our motherland,'” he asserted.
Adefarasin lamented the erosion of truth and justice in contemporary Nigeria, as expressed in the anthem’s second stanza, which calls for a flag symbolizing unity and justice. He stressed the importance of inculcating values and vision in future generations to address current leadership challenges. “Passing on to our children a banner without stain is very key,” he stated.
His favorite part of the anthem, he revealed, is the third verse, which he described as a prayer crucial for nation-building. Comparing Nigeria’s journey to South Africa’s, Adefarasin pointed out that Nigeria had to build its nation from scratch post-independence, making the prayer for nation-building in the anthem particularly relevant.
Critiquing the current anthem, “Arise, O Compatriots,” Adefarasin expressed his belief that it reflects Nigeria’s military past. He recounted the origin of the original anthem, which was chosen through a national competition in 1959 and judged by a panel mostly comprising Nigerians. He argued that dismissing the anthem on the grounds of its foreign writers is inconsistent, given Nigeria’s acceptance of foreign-made goods.
“Nigeria is not the only country whose anthem was written by foreigners,” he noted. Adefarasin advocated for the revival of “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” suggesting it would foster patriotism and love for the country. “If we sing ‘Nigeria, We Hail Thee’ and sing it from our hearts, it will set up patriotism,” he concluded.
Pastor Adefarasin’s reflections underscore a broader call for a return to the values and unity envisioned at Nigeria’s independence, embodied in the original national anthem.