[b]"Nigeria, We Hail Thee" is the former national anthemof Nigeria, used from independence in 1960 until 1978. Nigeria's present anthem, " Arise, O Compatriots," was adopted in 1978, replacing "Nigeria, We Hail Thee." [ 1 ]
"Nigeria, We Hail Thee" was adopted as Nigeria's first national anthem on October 1, 1960. [ 2 ]The anthem's lyricswere written by Lillian Jean Williams, a British expatriatewho lived in Nigeria when it achieved independence. [ 2 ] Frances Berdacomposed the music for "Nigeria, We Hail Thee." [ 2 ]
The second national anthem, " Arise, O Compatriots," replaced "Nigeria, We Hail Thee" in 1978. [ 2 ]
Criticism
When it was first announced, the new national anthem faced criticism for a number of reasons. The Daily Service, a newspaper run by the Yorubaorganisation Egbé Ọmọ Odùduwà, started a campaign against the anthem, which led to a committee being established to collect signatures as a petition. [ 3 ]
"Nigeria, We Hail Thee" (1960-1978)


Nigeria, we hail thee,
Our own dear native land,
Though tribe and tongue may differ,
In brotherhood we stand,
Nigerians all are proud to serve
Our sovereign Motherland.
Our flag shall be a symbol
That truth and justice reign,
In peace or battle honour'd,
And this we count as gain,
To hand on to our children
A banner without stain.
O God of all creation,
Grant this our one request,
Help us to build a nation
Where no man is oppressed,
And so with peace and plenty
Nigeria may be blessed.[/b]