A co-author of the Nigerian National anthem, Prof. Babatunde Ogunnaike has died at the age of 65.

The Chemical Engineer and statistician whose words make up most of stanza two of the Nigerian national anthem, died two nights ago in the United States (US) where he had been a Professor for over 25 years and lately, Dean of Engineering at Delaware University.

Ogunnaike’s demise was confirmed to newsmen today by notable Nigerian educationist and publisher, Gbenro Adegbola.

In 1977 as a 21-year-old NYSC member serving in Port Harcourt, he responded to a call for entries into a competition organised by the Federal Ministry of Information to replace the Nigerian national anthem.

He, therefore, emerged as one of the five, whose words and phrases were combined to form the anthem. The others are John A. Ilechukwu, Eme Etim Akpan, Sota Omoigui, and P.O. Aderibigbe.

Guess, he may not be happy with what his country became in the long run given the weighty words in the second stanza of the National anthem?

1. Nigeria we hail thee,
Our own dear native land,
Though tribe and tongue may differ,
In brotherhood we stand,
Nigerians all, and proud to serve
Our sovereign Motherland.

2. 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.

3. 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.

What an irony.

So him follow for people wey force this nonsensical unification on us ba? .......If I talk wetin dey my mind now,......