Obiageli “Oby” Ezekwesili, a prominent Nigerian activist and former Minister of Education, has publicly declared her refusal to sing the newly confirmed national anthem, “Nigeria, we hail thee.”
In a statement posted on her X account, Ezekwesili said she will continue singing the previous national anthem, “Arise, O compatriots.”
Ezekwesili’s declaration comes in response to the recent confirmation of “Nigeria, we hail thee” as the latest national anthem by President Bola Tinubu during a joint sitting of the National Assembly.
The move has sparked debate and mixed reactions across the country.
In her post, Ezekwesili stated, “Let it be known to all and sundry that I, Obiageli ‘Oby’ Ezekwesili will whenever asked to sing the Nigerian National Anthem sing:”
Ezekwesili further stated, “This is my own National Anthem and let it be known that no one can suppress my right to dissent an obnoxious ‘law’ that is repugnant to all that is of good conscience in Nigeria. Whatever else is #NotMyNationalAnthem.”