The Counter Subversion Bill 2024, which is under consideration at the House of Representatives, aims to punish Nigerians who misuse national symbols and neglect the national anthem with severe consequences....READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE ▶▶
In the event that the measure is approved by the parliament and the president signs it, the government may be able to prosecute Ezekwesili and Yesufu for their refusal to perform the national anthem….READ FULL ARTICLE
The bill set to be discussed in the second reading, states that anyone found guilty of refusing to recite the national anthem could face a 10-year prison sentence, a N5 million fine, or both, according to the proposed legislation.
Recall that in May, President Bola Tinubu signed into law a bill to revert to Nigeria’s old national anthem, which had been dropped by a military government in 1978.
The newly re-adopted anthem, which begins with “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” was written by Lillian Jean Williams in 1959 and composed by Frances Berda.
Following the reintroduction of the old national anthem, a Nigerian Activist, Aisha Yesufu in May was seen sitting while the anthem was being recited while insisting that they would rather sing the ‘Arise O Compatriots’ or remain mute while it is in progress.
Similarly, in a tweet on X, the former minister for solid minerals Obiageli Ezekwesili argued that “whenever and wherever the national anthem is called for, I shall continue to sing #AriseOCompatriots as #MyNationalAnthem.”
The bill introduced by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas states that the same penalties would be applied to anyone who defaces a place of worship or destroys a national symbol including the national flag if the bill is passed into law.
The bill “stipulates that anyone found guilty of destroying national symbols, refusing to recite the national anthem or pledge, defacing a place of worship with the intent to incite violence, or undermining the Federal Government shall face a fine of N5 million, a 10-year prison sentence, or both.
“Anyone who sets up an illegal roadblock performs unauthorised traffic duties, imposes an illegal curfew, or organises an unlawful procession will be subject to a fine of N2 million, five years in prison, or both upon conviction.
Moreover, any person who “forcefully takes over any place of worship, town hall, school, premises, public or private space, arena, or similar location through duress, undue influence, subterfuge, or other means commits an offence and is liable upon conviction to a fine of N5 million or imprisonment for a term of 10 years, or both.
“A person who professes loyalty to, pledges allegiance to, or agrees to belong to an organisation that disregards the sovereignty of Nigeria commits an offence and is liable upon conviction to a fine of N3 million or imprisonment for a term of four years, or both….READ FULL ARTICLE
