Nigerians React As Teni Recalls Old National Anthem, “Arise, O Compatriots, As New Anthem Takes Its-Place

Nigerians React As Teni Recalls Old National Anthem, “Arise, O Compatriots, As New Anthem Takes Its-Place

Singer Teniola Apata, popularly known as Teni, has fondly reminisced about the former national anthem, “Arise, O Compatriots,” stating how it made her childhood beautiful and filled with pleasant memories.

Following the signing of the National Anthem Bill 2024 into law by President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday, which reinstates the old anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” Teni expressed her sentiments about the replaced anthem.

Teni shared her feelings on her social media handle, acknowledging her attachment to “Arise, O Compatriots” and expressing gratitude for the childhood memories it evoked. She wrote, “Arise, O compatriots, I’ll miss you, thank you for so many childhood memories. till we meet again, love SM.”

The former national anthem, “Arise, O Compatriots,” was adopted in 1978 and was composed by John A. Ilechukwu, Eme Etim Akpan, B. A. Ogunnaike, Sota Omoigui, and P. O. Aderibigbe. It was performed by the Nigeria Police Band under the directorship of B. E. Odiasse.

With the enactment of the National Anthem Bill 2024, “Arise, O Compatriots” has officially been replaced by the old anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” as Nigeria’s National Anthem.