A video featuring House of Representatives member, Ahmad Satomi, has gone viral on social media.
The representative of Jere Federal Constituency, Borno State, challenged the Green Chamber regarding the recently passed National Anthem bill.
Satomi questioned the bill’s relevance to Nigeria’s pressing issues, sparking widespread discussion and debate.
The House of Representatives on Thursday passed for a second reading a bill seeking a return to the old national anthem
Leading the debate on the general principles of the bill, the sponsor of the proposed law, Julius Ihonvbere, anchored his argument on the need for patriotism and nationalism.
But many Nigerians on social media questioned the relevance of the move, wondering if it would help salvage the nation’s economy, being Nigeria’s biggest challenge at the moment.
In the video, Satomi addressed his colleagues, questioning the practicality and impact of the bill, which mandates reverting to the old National Anthem, “Nigeria we hail thee.”
His concerns highlighted the disconnect between legislative actions and the real-world problems faced by Nigerians.
“I do not know how this national anthem will affect the well-being of the common man in Nigeria. Let’s be realistic.
“How will this support either hunger, banditry, or improve insecurity?” Satomi asked.
He emphasised the need for legislation that directly benefits the populace, rather than symbolic gestures.
Satomi urged his colleagues to prioritise development-oriented policies that would attract positive international attention and foster growth.
He expressed frustration over the focus on the national anthem while the world advances in technology and innovation.
“There is a saying that goes thus, ‘Countries that rely on prayers will rely on the ones that do think.’
“Please, let’s think of something that will bring progress, stability, and prosperity to the economy of this nation and improve the lives of the common man,” he urged.
Despite his objections, the House of Representatives, on Thursday, May 23, passed the bill with accelerated consideration.
The bill’s passage has sparked debate among the public and lawmakers about legislative priorities amid the nation’s ongoing struggles with hunger and insecurity.
Watch video:
Alot of Nigerians agreed with him and also gave their opinions.
iamolaabraham Government can’t stop hunger. Go and work!
vwyrus.artisanat Honestly, i think those people are smoking weed because what’s our business with national anthem. People are barely surviving and many have fallen below the poverty line.
authentik_gymwears They sent their children abroad, Na we good to learn national anthem, inside poverty
iveeee Do you get? Cos they have no real demands from their constituents. They’re just there to chop money and go. We having pressing issues and it’s national anthem that’s the issue.
queeenmoh Sincerely this people are damaging this country beyond repair and we are watching them
cocoiceofficial Thank you Mr Hon. Misplaced priorities indeed! There are issues of insecurity, unemployment, crazy electricity tariff, hunger, low minimum wage, weak monetary policies & generally an inflationary crisis and btw what’s left of our democratic values and integrity? Will changing the anthem automatically switch the entire governance attitude? Moreover we’ve been singing one nation bound in freedom, peace and unity but do we have the freedom, peace and unity?
iamwarriguy Our so called lawmakerS are not worth the salaries they are paid cos what da hell has the national anthem go to do with anything, imagine they are getting paid just to discuss about national anthem and people are dying everyday…These people really don’t care about Nigerians they only care about themselves.
xeraphinar_ People that don’t know the national anthem want to change it
seczyluv Exactly! Before we will hear that they use 2.3trillion to change national Anthem.
ezeqwesiri How will banning crime movies affect the economy … Then just dey act like say them dey do something serious National anthem
lobabass Who else wants to hear what that other man has to say?
petenocchio_ Person wey house dey burn, Dey struggle to change song wey Dey play for him AirPods. This is how dumb trying to change the national anthem is with the current state of the country.
