Senate begins a public hearing on changing the national anthem.

An act to establish the Nigerian national anthem and other relevant subjects has commenced in the Senate with a public hearing.

At the hearing, Senate President Pro Temi Bamidele’s representative, Opeyemi Bamidele, said that the current national anthem’s second stanza will serve as the national prayer.

But he did say that we could talk about it more if we thought it was important.

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, said in his submission that the amendment should not be made without first conducting a wider consultation.

He acknowledged the reversal’s legitimacy but said it should be subject to a more comprehensive process to guarantee it accurately reflected the will of the Nigerian people.

At the same time, Mike Ozekhome, a senior advocate of Nigeria, echoed the sentiments of the director general of the national orientation agency and pointed to a passage from the old song that dealt with oppression, arguing that it was high time for a change.

He remembered proposing a proposal to change the song at the 2014 CONFAB, where 490 delegates discussed and ultimately approved the concept. That was ten years ago.

In comparison to the flags of the United States and South Africa, he thinks the current green and white design of the Nigerian flag is uninspiring and too boring.

He also remembered suggesting that, because “Nigeria” was too cumbersome, the term “iregime” be used instead.

Changes in other countries, such as the twelve mentioned above plus Russia, Turkey, the Netherlands, Pakistan, France, and Zimbabwe, are crucial to progress, in his view.

He insisted that a nationwide vote was necessary to address all of Nigeria’s problems at once, claiming that a little constitutional change wouldn’t cut it.

At last week’s Senate second reading, a measure that aims to allow Nigeria to sing its former national hymn, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” was approved.

You should expect a report from the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters to the House in two weeks after they get it.

The measure has been approved by the House of Representatives.