Popular singer Teni, also known as Teniola Apata, has expressed her thoughts on the recent change to Nigeria’s national anthem.
President Bola Tinubu signed the National Anthem Bill 2024 into law, reverting back to the old anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee.”
In response, Teni shared that she will miss the replaced anthem, “Arise, O Compatriots,” as it holds many childhood memories for her.
On her X handle, Teni wrote: “Arise o compatriots, I’ll miss you, thank you for so many childhood memories. till we meet again, love SM.”
‘Arise, O compatriots’ was adopted as Nigeria’s National Anthem in 1978.
The original lyrics of “Arise, O Compatriots” were composed by John A. Ilechukwu, Eme Etim Akpan, B. A. Ogunnaike, Sota Omoigui, and P. O. Aderibigbe. The anthem was performed by the Nigeria Police Band under the direction of B. E. Odiasse.
With the signing of the National Anthem Bill 2024, “Arise, O Compatriots” has officially been replaced by “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” as Nigeria’s National Anthem.
