First national anthem: See the Old clip of MRA orchestra singing Nigerian national anthem in 1960

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday signed the National Anthem Bill 2024 seeking to reinstate the old anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” into law.

The assent to the bill will bring about a shift from the now-recognised, “Arise, O Compatriots.”

The “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” anthem was used from 1960 when Nigeria gained independence, until it was replaced by “Arise, O Compatriots” in 1978.

Lilian Jean Williams wrote the lyrics for Nigeria’s previous national anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” in 1959, while Frances Berda composed the music for the anthem during the same year.

Here is a video of the moment the MRA Studio Orchestra under the direction of the Brazilian composer, Remo Usai, sang all three stanzas of Nigeria’s anthem on October 01, 1960.

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