Why Flag Foundation of Nigeria supported return to old national anthem – DG Agiri

By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja

The Flag Foundation of Nigeria, FFN, has commended President Bola Tinubu for his swift assent to the law reverting Nigeria to the old national anthem.

Chris Agiri, the Director General and Chief Vexillologist of the Flag Foundation of Nigeria said this while speaking on the re-adoption of the old national anthem by the country after the bills for the re-adoption were unanimously passed by both chambers of the National Assembly.

FFN, represented by Agiri, was one of those who presented a memorandum in favour of the adoption of the old national anthem at a public hearing organised by the National Assembly for the purpose last Monday.

Speaking on why his organization supported the move to bring back the old national anthem, Agiri said as a non-political, non-sectarian, non-governmental and non-profit making, patriotic and educational organization, FFN wants to make patriotism the trademark of every Nigerian, subdue ethnic and tribal sentiments and inculcate the true spirit of patriotism and abiding nationalism in everybody in the country.

He said this was well encapsulated in the words of the old National Anthem.

“We are convinced that the restoration of the old National Anthem, shall engender national revival, heighten the sense of national pride of the average Nigerian and, help to rebuild national cohesion and foster national unity.

Agiri said this was even more important now with growing sense of despair amongst the people, threat to National Unity by centrifugal forces working against the emergence of a new Nigeria, a situation, he noted has given rise to the now popular saying that, “Nigeria is now more divided than ever before”.

“The former Nigerian National Anthem was simply true to itself, encapsulates in reality, the true Nigeria, in the true sense of it. O Yes! Nigeria is our NATIVE LAND. We hail our own dear native land. No apologies.

“Obviously, our tribes and ethnicities and languages differ, our religions & cultures differ but we are reminded by this anthem that, despite our primordial differences, and divides, we are brothers!

“The Flag Foundation of Nigeria is also strongly of the opinion that the second stanza of the same old National Anthem be restored equally because it talks about the National Flag.

“This is very important because the National Flag goes hand in hand with the National Anthem, hence let’s use one stone to kill two birds*.

“As vexillologists (experts on flag studies, usage and protocol), we strongly advise that our job for the promotion of respect for the National Flag should be made easier,” he said.