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May 24, 2024 Return to Old Anthem: ‘Can It Address Current Hardship?’ Nigerians Respond
IFMNEWS

Return to Old Anthem: ‘Can It Address Current Hardship?’ Nigerians Respond

A bill proposing that Nigerians revert to the old national anthem, "Nigeria, We Hail Thee," was swiftly passed by the House of Representatives on Thursday. The bill rapidly progressed through the first, second, and third readings in a matter of minutes and also cleared its second reading in the Senate.

READ ALSO: House of Representatives Push for Reversion to Previous National Anthem

While many Nigerians question the urgency of this move, others are pondering what such a change aims to achieve, especially considering the old anthem was composed by Lillian Jean Williams, a British expatriate in Nigeria at the time of independence, with music by Frances Berda.

Return to Old Anthem: 'Can It Address Current Hardship?' Nigerians Respond
Return to Old Anthem: 'Can It Address Current Hardship?' Nigerians Respond

Return to Old Anthem: 'Can It Address Current Hardship?' Nigerians Respond
Return to Old Anthem: 'Can It Address Current Hardship?' Nigerians Respond

This raises the question of what is wrong with the current anthem, "Arise, O Compatriots," which was created by five Nigerians: P. O. Aderibigbe, John A. Ilechukwu, Dr. Sota Omoigui, Eme Tim Akpan, and B.A. Ogunnaike, and set to music by Benedict Odiase.

Lawmakers argue that the current anthem is unrealistic, hence the push for a change. However, many Nigerians view the bill differently. Here are some reactions from Facebook and X (formerly known as Twitter).

Return to Old Anthem: 'Can It Address Current Hardship?' Nigerians Respond
Return to Old Anthem: 'Can It Address Current Hardship?' Nigerians Respond

Return to Old Anthem: 'Can It Address Current Hardship?' Nigerians Respond
Return to Old Anthem: 'Can It Address Current Hardship?' Nigerians Respond

May 24, 2024 FG Stops Realignment of Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road Project
IFMNEWS

FG Stops Realignment of Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road Project

The federal government has decided to stop and redirect the realignment of the Lagos-Calabar coastal road project, thereby protecting telecommunications infrastructure and submarine cables in the affected area. A presidential directive has saved MTN's submarine cables and workstations in the Okun-Ajah community from demolition after a thorough Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) review.

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, discussed the issue at a stakeholder meeting in Lagos, focusing on compensation and the EIA for the coastal road project. He informed community groups and traditional leaders, particularly in the Okun-Ajah community, about the changes.

Previously, the Okun-Ajah community had raised concerns about the proposed changes to the highway route, which threatened six villages and could displace three traditional kings if not addressed. Umahi emphasized the importance of redesigning the route to preserve the 600-year-old heritage of the Okun-Ajah community. He praised the president's efforts to modify the alignment to protect properties and infrastructure in the area.

According to Umahi, the original alignment would have required demolishing over 750 houses, while the new alignment, following an EIA, would affect 450 houses. The project underwent rigorous approval processes, including certification by the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and consideration by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

Umahi stressed that property removal will follow legal procedures, and only owners with verified titles will receive compensation. Iliyasu Abdullah, CEO of Machine and Equipment Consortiums Africa, highlighted the significance of the 17-year-old critical infrastructure in the Okun-Ajah community, praising the government's efforts to protect these essential national assets.

May 23, 2024 House of Representatives Push for Reversion to Previous National Anthem
IFMNEWS

House of Representatives Push for Reversion to Previous National Anthem

The House of Representatives has advanced a bill for a second reading, proposing a return to the previous national anthem. Championing the debate on the bill's fundamental principles, Julius Ihonvbere, its initiator, emphasized the importance of fostering patriotism and nationalism.

During deliberations, Chinda, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, contended that the old national anthem, being a colonial relic, should not be revisited in a post-independent Nigeria. This stance found support from Ahmad Satomi, the representative of Jere Federal Constituency, Borno State.

However, diverging from this view, another lawmaker from Borno, Ahmed Jaha, endorsed the bill, asserting that the wording of the new anthem lacks substantive relevance to the affairs of the Nigerian State.

May 23, 2024 EFCC Charges Former Aviation Minister Sirika and Brother with New 10-Count
IFMNEWS

EFCC Charges Former Aviation Minister Sirika and Brother with New 10-Count

On Thursday, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, on a new 10-count charge. Sirika appeared before an Abuja High Court in Garki alongside his brother Ahmad and Enginos Nigeria Limited, a company involved in the alleged offenses.

The defendants were accused of involvement in an N19.4 billion airport contract scam. They pleaded not guilty to the charges read by Justice Suleiman Belgore.

Previously, Sirika, his daughter Fatima, and his son-in-law Jalal Sule Hamma were granted N100 million bail each by an Abuja High Court in Maitama for their alleged role in a fraudulent N2.7 billion Nigerian Air contract.

READ ALSO: Court Grants Sirika, Daughter, and Son-in-Law N100 Million Bail Each in N2.7 Billion Fraud Case

In the new charges, the EFCC alleged that Sirika abused his ministerial position to benefit Enginos Nigeria Limited, which is led by his brother Ahmad. Specifically, Sirika is accused of influencing the award of a N1.3 billion contract for constructing a terminal building at Katsina Airport to his brother's company.

Some of the charges read:

  • “That you, Hadi Sirika, while serving as the Minister of Aviation, on or about August 18, 2022, in Abuja, did use your position to confer an unfair advantage on Enginos Nigeria Limited, whose alter ego is your brother Ahmad Sirika, by influencing the award of a N1.345 billion contract for the construction of a terminal building at Katsina Airport. This act is contrary to section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, and punishable under the same section.
  • “That you, Hadi Sirika, while serving as the Minister of Aviation, on or about November 3, 2022, in Abuja, did use your position to confer an unfair advantage on Enginos Nigeria Limited by influencing the award of a N3.811 billion contract for establishing a Fire Truck Maintenance and Refurbishment Centre at Katsina Airport. This act is contrary to section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, and punishable under the same section.
  • “That you, Hadi Sirika, while serving as the Minister of Aviation, on or about May 5, 2023, in Abuja, did use your position to confer an unfair advantage on Enginos Nigeria Limited by influencing the award of a N615.195 million contract for the procurement and installation of lifts, air conditioners, and power generators for Aviation House, Abuja. This act is contrary to section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, and punishable under the same section.
  • “That you, Hadi Sirika, and Enginos Nigeria Limited, between August 2022 and May 2023 in Abuja, had possession of an aggregate sum of N2.337 billion, which you knew indirectly represented the proceeds of criminal activities by Ahmad Sirika, who was the Minister of Aviation at the time. This is contrary to Section 17 (b) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004, and punishable under the same section.”

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