Etcetera now doesn't think our national anthem is inspiring enough. Find his thoughts below...
After hearing of the proposal of some delegates at the ongoing confab that we should revert to the old national anthem, I sat by my piano and played both anthems. Playing and singing to the current anthem “Arise O’ Compatriot” was basically easy because I had done that countless times and I wasn’t even looking at the piano keys as I sang through the verses. I downloaded the lyrics of the old anthem just to be sure I was singing the right words. I know the tune by heart because my dad frequently sang it to me when I was a little school boy. And I felt nothing as usual singing it. But right from the first line of the old anthem “Nigeria We Hail Thee,” I felt a strange sense of pride and patriotism. I felt very strange because like every Nigerian, I am saddened that as a country, we have lost our way.
We are a giant tied to undeveloped nations, and kept in bondage by our
leaders whose corruption and greed demonstrate a lack of love for their
own people. As I got to the point that says “Though tribes and tongues
may differ and in brotherhood we stand,” I discovered that I had stopped
playing the piano and was just reciting the words. Struck with the fact
that the composers took to mind our vast ethnic differences and even
proffered a solution that in “brotherhood” we will stand strong against
adversaries, home or foreign. Our tribal and ethnic differences have
been at the bottom of every problem we have faced as a country.
President Obasanjo had all the right in
the world to dream, a leader who does not dream, hardly accomplishes
much, but my point is that a leader has to dream right, and not take the
nation on a pipe dream. There were lots of bridges our nation needed to
cross at that time. There were lots of things a good leader should have
seen happen, before going after such an unwarranted project of changing
the national anthem. Singing further, it became clear to me why the old
anthem must have been changed immediately I saw the line that says “To
hand on to our children a banner without stain.” The words of this
anthem can only resonate in a country with moral leadership, starting
from its leaders and permeating all tiers of the government from top to
bottom. Corruption is no longer a problem in Nigeria as it has become a
full fledge institution and a way of life.
Every morning at schools, chorus of
voices try to hit the high notes of the current anthem, which have
proved uninspiring even for the little kids. Ask our politicians why
they always muffle the lyrics. In fact, many people consider ours the
world’s least singable national anthem. I think it is time for a revert
to the old anthem. Just like the confab delegates have pointed out.
It is obvious that we can no longer be
comforted by the drum roll in the current national anthem. I haven’t
seen any Nigerian smiling with pride whenever it is being played. I am
sure Pa Odiase won’t be smiling at me now from heaven for saying this.
But truth be told, the music of our current anthem has failed to inspire
one nation bound in freedom, peace and unity.
A lot of Nigerians have become too
comfortable being tone-deaf and have resisted every attempt for their
hearing to be restored. A lot of Nigerians love the tone of deceit as
much as to dance to it. I have sung the current anthem countless times
but my literary appreciation and criticism would not allow me to accept
it. I kept asking myself what evil have we committed as a nation to
warrant our leaders to seek escape from a vow to “hand over to our
children a banner without stain.” They have changed the prayers in the
old anthem to fading echos. Little wonder the country is at the brink of
collapse.
We love Nigeria and believe in her great
potential, but we must also address issues of oppression and injustice
within her as written in the old anthem. I love the part that says “Our
flag shall be a symbol that truth and justice reigns.” Today, wherever
you find the Nigerian flag, it is either torn or rumpled so bad or on
make-shift poles that you wonder if our leaders in government and people
ever consider such symbols as important at all. How can you
indoctrinate your people on how to appreciate and value their
citizenship and nationality if symbols like that mean nothing to you?
And when you don’t value what you have, how do you expect other
nationals to value it? It all boils down to the nation doing what it
needs to do to make its citizen proud to belong. Our governments, state
and federal, just don’t value such things.
The current anthem talks about love. But
our political leaders show only love for themselves and their immediate
family. We are living the opposite of everything called for in the
current anthem. Our leaders with their blindness are unable to see the
car crash waiting to happen. They should know that the history of this
nation can never be altered or erased no matter how hard they try.
THE OLD ANTHEM (1960- 1978)
Nigeria we hail thee, Our own dear native
land, Though tribes and tongues may differ, In brotherhood we stand,
Nigerians all are proud to serve, Our sovereign Motherland.
Our flag shall be a symbol, That truth
and justice reign, In peace or battle honour’d, And this we count as
gain, To hand on to our children, A banner without stain.
O God of all creation, Grant this our one
request, Help us to build a nation, Where no man is oppressed, And so
with peace and plenty, Nigeria may be blessed.
Hehe! Obiakwa ozo....u don with celebs? Now ur country? Ok continue.
ReplyDeleteECTERA HAVING SUMTIN TO SAY ABT EVRYTIN.... ITS NO LONGER CELEBS AGAIN, ITS NATIONAL ATHEM.....
DeleteMtcheeeeeeeeeww... OYA HIS FOLLOWERS SHUD APPLUAD HIM.....
NAHSENSE...
.
.
.
.
Moye B
When you take your time to read his article and not pass comment on what you think of him you would sound smarter than you obviously are.
DeleteThis one is always on his PERIOD, that's why he's so grumpy. #gay anonymous#
ReplyDeleteCome on fly away from here. He is 100 times better than your useless life. Cursed soul..
DeleteThe day wey God go punish you. You come by mistake post with your real name ehnnn. Eh go red for you oh
DeleteI second that! @ 'always grumpy' lol. The dude is a nuisance, an opinionated nuisance
DeleteLol
DeleteHe's got a problem
DeleteCan someone pls put a penis in this man's mouth to keep him shut, he talks too much #gay anonymous#
ReplyDeleteYeye gay anonymous.....put urs naa as u be gay. Ode!
DeleteAnon 10:19. What's funny about such irritating comment?? Well I guess I know better..!!
DeleteOf all ways to tell him to shut up, u just had to say that
DeleteHehehe..he'll write about the penis in his mouth. Something has to be done about the hands too ----C21
DeleteFoolish thing. I am sure you are supposed to be a leader and role model for little kids. #gay anonymous my tooth. Rubbish am sure you will look like a stick of pencil. To put ur HIV infested body in his mouth...Rubbish
DeleteAs for the so-called Etcetera what a stupid way to look for cheap publicity. Dats y some idiots go ahead and insults him... #i dey vex sef
Jenny says
You are just stupid Mr gay. As much as I dislike this guy and all d rubbish he's been writing, I think he made sense this time around. Maybe u guys should always try and read first before posting ur brainless comments.
DeleteWho be this abegi.
ReplyDeleteAnd how will that stop boko haram, make our light stable, put food on our table, stop corruption, make us win w/cup(the brazilian experience against germany lol) etc
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely agree
ReplyDeleteTrue talk. When Koffi still used to do a radio program on Cityfm 105.1, he made mention of this Issue. He said we should make our 2nd stanza of our National Anthem the 1st because of the message it preaches.
ReplyDeleteLet's not condemn......his article is a brilliant one,most Nigerians don't just give a damn. Why not let's leave condemnation and keep learning. I've learnt from this anyway...
Deletewhen someone has something to say about everything...
ReplyDeleteGosh ur cute!!!!!!!!!!!!!! #blush
DeleteAshawo... No Comment oo make u dey look man... see you at shıloh camp wen u clock 39 like Rita Dominic.. mtcheww
DeleteSVC, so somebody can complement somebody again. Bitter senseless moron
Delete@ Michael, yea! Opinionated pple are such a drag...@ PVC, do u v a crush on Michael? Wats w the unnecessary venom?
DeleteHmmmmm! I love ur spirit. Kip d good work.
ReplyDeleteYeah yeah. But the anthem doesn't change peoples way of thinking . Becayse of brotherhood doesn't mean boko haram would stop
ReplyDeleteYes! Let's port! The old one make sence die!!!
ReplyDeleteI support both the Confab delegates and Ecetera....the words of the old anthm brought shivers down my mind (yea,it did). I support the motion to revert bck to the old anthem!
ReplyDeleteAnd u think I have such time to read all of these???? PWEEESSSE
ReplyDeleteRichard branch here
Olodo pls don't read it.
Deletethe old anthem had love mentioned where has that gone ! greed sleaze me me take take is now the mode ! must change or we will all go deranged ?
ReplyDeleteLinda ikeji is making this guy popular.
ReplyDeleteEnd of story. Ur head is there..
DeleteThis guy is confused
ReplyDeleteCan someone tell this guy to go and die if he doesn't like the national anthem.... Attention seeker like me
ReplyDeletePlease visit my blog
www.jaybeenet.blogspot.com Click to Visit
No,he will not go and die. Opinions are free and he's entitled to one. Please be civil.
Delete@jaybee imagine ur reply,no wonder your blog is dry .
DeleteGBAM!!!!!!
Deletewhats d need of a new anthem when we all know after GEJ,there wont be d entity called Nigeria, et cetera can keep editing new anthem for whatever country he wud belong come after 2015
ReplyDeleteLet this dude get a nap #bright bravo#
ReplyDeleteNo,he will not get a nap. Opinions are free and he's entitled to one. Please be civil
DeleteLol..intelligetsia which one be ur own?
DeleteI think I prefer d old national anthem
ReplyDeleteI prefer d old national anthem
ReplyDeleteAgreed....I neva knew dia was an old national athem,I lyk d place dat said"help us build a nation where no man is oppressed"
ReplyDeleteHmmm.. Observing the write-up
ReplyDeleteAlso check out the Latest FreeBrowsing Tips for all Nigeria Networks
Totally agree wt him. #WORD
ReplyDeleteHow does national anthem affect our mindset as Nigerians? whatever Nigeria problems are, is rooted in our mindset and has nothing to do with national anthem, if the national anthem be changed, and the mind of an average Nigerian is not changed then its a waste of time, so let the government invest in education to equip our mind for a better Nigeria, to free our mind from primitive taught and let our mind be free from corruption and greed
ReplyDeleteYour comment will be visible after approval
Yes it is bland and uninspiring compared to the former.
ReplyDeleteHow to convince your partner to have hotter sex, even if she's tired or bummed out.
Wetin be this guy problem sef. That anthem is here to stay.
ReplyDeleteThis guy Na faggot.. If he dey hungry make he go open barbing salon
Delete...and we changed from this anthem because?... oh! I know! I guess our leaders realised they couldn't "help to build a nation, where no man is oppressed" nether could they "hand on to our children, a banner without stain" they would put the burden on the children 2 make sure "the labour of heroes past, re not in vain"...bt since the only Labour of our heroes past we could think of is looting, bigotry, and oppression, what do u expect from us?! Even I never knew the lines of the old anthem until today, I feel more attached and bound to this old anthem. It challenges our "leaders" more! ...with all due respect to Pa Odiase.
ReplyDelete"You never knew the lines of the old national anthem till now". If I may ask, how old are you, I sang the old national anthem in primary and secondary schools. How time flies. I also prefer the old national anthem
DeleteWOW! U must be in ur 40's anonymous
DeleteThis ectcera dude tho-_-.......after p(-_-)q dint bring him to the lime light he wants to enter by force via dissing celebs and even his country.........I worry for him
ReplyDeleteWhat Can I say #kingkay
ReplyDeleteLyk anthem really makes a diff in people's lives. . Its jus lyk our culture. A symbol of identity. . Odi egwu. . Deirs no diff bw d two.. wat of d part dat states to serve our fathers land wiv love nd strength .. so wer is d love.. tribalism evrywer. . Pple dnt read meaning to any anthem its jus wat u av to learn. . Period
ReplyDeleteFirst sensible write-up by Etcetera. Thank God you made sense this time around, I was about logging out on your matter.
ReplyDeleteWe sgall overcome. Pretex4luv@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteThis guy is a pussy!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWell said man but d problem is not with d anthem but rather with d people in govt.
ReplyDeleteDis guy is d greatest attention seeker..I v seen..mumu all thru ua stupid music career did u mak 1 hit? U for write ua own anthem let's c hw lame u ah...idiot oof life..as uaa craze don go federal na federal cure dem go giv u..no let 9ja govt open mind wan end u...fool of life..lindiway,u beta post dis comment ooo
ReplyDeleteNke emere juo oyi...ndjoephotos@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteI'm sure there's an old saying that goes.....not every thought is pleasing to the ear...(in dis case,the eyes).this idea is ok. But pls dude stick to ur radio show. U aint a writer or human rights activists. Rest abeg!
ReplyDeleteWhen I said mr example is retarded, he stupidly came here in disguise as anonymous to attack me..stupid jobless man..Everything is wrong in ur stupid sick brain..I guess ur brain didn't tell u music isn't ur calling..All u do is talk abt tinz u can't change Pussay..The day dis idiot finally grows up I'll give thanks in church.........................................#KingOfKings
ReplyDeleteWhen I said mr example is retarded, he stupidly came here in disguise as anonymous to attack me..stupid jobless man..Everything is wrong in ur stupid sick brain..I guess ur brain didn't tell u music isn't ur calling..All u do is talk abt tinz u can't change Pussay..The day dis idiot finally grows up I'll give thanks in church.........................................#KingOfKings
ReplyDeleteYou sound like a child
DeleteYou sound like a child
DeleteCan someone please tell this Frustrated n Failed musician to Shut The F**k up! Attention seeker #yimu
ReplyDeleteYou need to do just that. Shut that fuck up
DeleteYou need to do just that. Shut that fuck up
DeleteDo u still write songs.
ReplyDeleteWell written. However,we must nt 4get dat Trans4mation begins from the inside. It's got to do with individual Nigerian and not a general issue. Change ursef and ur Community/Country will be aUtomatically Transformed to suit your new status.
ReplyDeleteShalom
www.jodexinspire.blogspot.com
This guy sef.
ReplyDeleteHe is damn right.I totally agree
ReplyDeleteLike seriously, I prefer d old one.
ReplyDeleteI think ETC should be intelligent enough to know that the problem of Nigeria does not lie in mere national anthem . We should all know that until we see ourselves as one Nigeria in practice and action not mere national anthem or legislation that is when we can take this country to the promise land. Now back to ETC, i think if u can devote ur energy into bringing back alive ur long dead career by now you would have gone far. Pls take time to work on ur career rather than forcing yourself down the throat of people through your self esteemed write ups that most times usually portrays you as a jealous, failed and ranting musician . To Ms Linda Ikeji, i think the best way to salvage the drowning career of this dude is to advise him to open a Blog which will serve as a channel to pour out his mind and generate is our followers...and he should remember to stop picking up on different issues all in the name of finding fault. The more he does that the more people get irritated about him... FOR CHRIST SAKE HE DOESNT HAVE A MANAGER? OR HE SOULD JUST HIRE A REPUTABLE PR AGENT TO GIVE HIM A PROFESSIONAL ADVICE
ReplyDeleteEtcetera should learn from freeze how to write an article
ReplyDeleteFreeze writes so much better
ReplyDeleteFreeze is dt u?
DeleteEtcetera sucks
ReplyDeleteHave no idea , what rebranding our anthem is going to do for us. its like rebranding star bottle, different look same taste and content.
ReplyDeleteDia is always a usefulness in every foolish man's word.. It only takes a gud brain...
ReplyDeleteEtcetera myt seem a nuisance buh hez sayin d ryt tin... I knw d anthem wont change boko haram nd wat ave u... Buh it will inspire Nigerians nd allow dem ave a change of heart....
Kip d ball rollin man!
Mopeelolly17@yahoo.com
Bro I still don't understand how Nigerians thinks.every book have a lesson to teach
DeleteLinda, dis guy must paying u to help his failed 'ministry' move forward!!! Enaf of him already!!!
ReplyDeleteI tink he's right.don't tink one has 2 b a writer or human right activist before sharing opinion,u gat no point dude.mheeee
ReplyDeleteEtcetra has been on some good weed for some time now hasnt he
ReplyDeleteLinda can you please help tell that fool that this is a wrong way of making his mark in the world uh. Jopeyemi@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteIts not. At least he makes u write a comment
DeleteLet's try, just for a minute. See reason to what he and the delegates have brought forward. I for one can understand were he's coming from, try listening or watch an American recite his/her national anthem with Pride, then you'll feed into his(Etcetera's)mind to grasp the idea behind the "MINDSET" which can be changed. I SUPPORT THE MOTION, TO CHANGE THE NATIONAL ANTHEM
ReplyDeleteVery soon he will say nigeria shouldn't have had her independence....
ReplyDeleteThis guy just like to be on the news......
ReplyDeleteAbeg this Guy needs a Medical Check up...#pTiana
ReplyDeleteI think I share his sentiments,I find d national unappealing,boring ,uninspiring n it lacks melody..
ReplyDeleteNigerians are quick to condemn, nw i see that Nigeria's problem is not just our leaders but we the citizens are part of the problem. all these comments just made me realise one thing and that is majority of LIB readers are not intelligent and again if u want 2 abuse someone's write up, there is sth called "constructive criticism"
ReplyDeleteEceteria is a good writer, love him or hate him, hes makin his money as a columnist and the sexy thing there is that he is multi-talented.
U all can all curse me if u want, it wont affect me neither wld it give me money.
Linda, I loveeee ur blog, im sure you know that.
Tunrayor
I don't even know the old anthem, they should leave this one jor cos I don't have power to cram another anthem anew.
ReplyDeleteHahahahahaha
DeleteAda Nne, why are you Makıng dış dude popular? Hıan! How much dıd he pay you for all thıs
ReplyDeleteDis guy will neva shut his mouth, will he? Am so over dis guy. He sucks most of d times
ReplyDeleteEasy O. Etcetera.. Your Obsv cn βǝ silly sometimes O. http://bit.ly/1mBGKQR
ReplyDeletesome body pls give em the contract to kidnap this clown and and flog some sense into his head scholars like wole soyinka godfathers founding nationalist like zik awo tafa balewa great men and women did not complain about our national anthem na dis idiot this failed alternative rock singer dat does not no his left from his right is opening his fly filled infested mouth to spew thrash thunder fire u
ReplyDeleteThey didn't complain then bcos pple still sang the anthem wif pride and and Nigeria wasn't that corrupt.... Nigeria then is not the Nigeria now
Deleteasin eh @hilary obiorah.. patoswife@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteThis proves that you are jobless. Used to like your songs but not anymore. GET A LIFE BRO.
ReplyDeleteThis guy is right irrespective of what u think about him...lots of comments here show that most Nigerians have lost the ability to think critically.
ReplyDeletethis guy is a publicity seeker....his heart yearns for attention...to me,he's got no cogent grounds for his explanations...peace
ReplyDeleteGreat article, if dere is a referendum to revert to the old anthem i will vote for it
ReplyDeleteOk sir...nkemdirimeverista111@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteYou say boring things. You are better with your mouth shut.
ReplyDeletewho the fuck this niggqa his?? he been talking shii for a while now, always having something negative to say...
ReplyDeleteIf you say so.
ReplyDeleteIf only we young people are not too blinded by our go with the crowd attitude, we might take our time to read his words again and understand the sense in it. I am no fan of the dude bt common he made sense, and anyone who is deep enuf to see what shallow minded people cant, will take a min or two to consider the words written not the person writing. Even great artist make fake art. Charly boy said somethings too and the world went for his head. Well they have something we lack, and that is the POWER TO VOICE HOW THEY FEEL. Rather than stay in ur homes and insult them look for a way for ur voice to be heard. TOMORROW IS UR CONCERN TOOO, and if insulting people on blogs is all u have to offer.. THEN U R ALSO A BIG PART OF THE PROBLEM TODAY
ReplyDeleteAll this guy does is spew bullshit, and spew some more bullshit each passing day and in thd process Looking for cheap publicity and bloggers like Linda are helping him in achieving that...Its not changing the national Anthem that will solve the problems of this nation, its Changing the Leadership...SIT DOWN ETCETERA!
ReplyDeleteMy suggestion to LIB contributors is that we must not abuse somebody to make our point. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. Make what comes out of your mouth your identity.
ReplyDeleteI strongly believe our problem is not in the anthem, after all most of our leaders all sang the old anthem, how has that made them any different?
ReplyDeleteWell spoken Etcetera. I was lucky to sing the old anthem before it was changed. You couldn't have said it better. Kudos to this post. I hope they listen. Pa Odiase won't be angry. He only compiled the new anthem from entries of 6 people that sent entries for the anthem competition.
ReplyDeleteI dey tell u. We should go back
ReplyDeleteI'd have to agree with Etcetera on this one. Our current National Anthem holds no value for me. Nigeria , we hail thee...Now, that would work for our generation and our time.
ReplyDeleteHe is sooooooooo right this time around
ReplyDeleteI guess those cussing him don't read, understand
And reason well to see the wonderful points he has mentioned.
Bravo.
Etcetera, never thought I would say this ever....U are on point!...I wonder how they chose the current Anthem over the former... Just cause it wasn't written by I Nigerian I guess. I totally feel you on this one.#onpoint
ReplyDeleteHas anybody listened to foreign acts render our national anthem? e.g. Beyonce and pianists from various countries? One Italian pianist performed it a few years ago but his name doesn't come to mind now. It is a BEAUTIFUL anthem. One of the most beautiful in the world. This belief that our anthem doesn't sound nice is all in the mind. I personally don't think much of the American anthem but the American people RESPECT it and that's the keyword. If you respect something, you will appreciate and value it. e.g. The average pepper seller in the market may not look like much to some of us. She is just another 'local woman' to many of us but she means the world to her children. They respect her and love her and will die for her, because they believe in her. Believe in your country and your anthem will sound good. Lose hope in Nigeria and it will sound wack. Shikena!
ReplyDeleteThis Idiot deserved to be hanged...
ReplyDeleteOk sir...nkemdirimeverista111@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteTotally agree with you 100%. The old anthem inspires pride . It actually personalizes Nigeria for me. "Our own dear native land" Nigeria is indeed "dear" to me no matter what. I love my country. Amaka
ReplyDeletePlease who is this etcetra guy with a loudmouth. appaerently he is a musician. have never heard any of his songs! he just goes around saying rubishh all the time. please go and seat down somewhere
ReplyDeleteThis guy na idiot walahie.....abeg I no fit cram any anthem again o. Make him compose another one na. Let's hear how reasonable and sensible dt will sound. Olodo
ReplyDeletethis etcetera guy should go get a life and stop looking for cheap publicity. he can even avoid a publicist broke ass Nigeria. others are working hard in there areas of expertise and this guy has nothing to show for. get a life dude. linda pls help me forward this to him cos i blame you for even recognising him.
ReplyDeleteI simply love the guy's way of reasoning.He also has good command of English.Nice one Etcetera. Please keep it up
ReplyDeleteoff to bed
ReplyDeletecant read this long essay
no time
BORN TO SHINE!!!!!
Ds etc should close his mouth. He musn't have an opinion about everything.
ReplyDelete#Lindoaddict
Dem go soon misplace this etc dude
ReplyDeleteWhy don't u guyz forget about the persona and focus on the content of the write-up. Words are very powerful and they go a long way to shape our thoughts. I agree with the content of the write-up.
ReplyDeletei dont know whats happening to we youths in this country....Its the country decay that bad that you dont see truth and false or wrong and right. Ignorant youths..OPEN YOUR EYES....LISTEN AND UNDERSTAND..
ReplyDeleteIf the guy is gay then he must be very lost and pray God saves him.
BUT fact is there is so much truth, and good message in this is statement. Take it or leave it
Linda, can u pls stop posting anitin that has to do with this guy! He his yet to find out his purpose on earth. So disgusting .
ReplyDeletethis guy is an absolute idiot. i have refrained from commenting on anything he has said over time but this definitely takes the piss. what value have you added to society. I think he should be blacklisted the media. He doesn't have to share every idiotic thought that comes to his mind.
ReplyDeleteFreeze please show this drowning man how to write
ReplyDeleteI think I know his problem. Now hes beginning to feel like everything around him is shit, its just a condition called 'being a cynical asshole !
ReplyDeleteetcetera needs a job...
ReplyDeleteIt's so unfortunate to see people pass bad judgement without perusing this guy's constructive opinion. I read through the lyrics of the old anthem...it's so inspiring just like thew second stanza of the new national anthem.
ReplyDelete