Our Love For Nigeria Is Reason We Changed National Anthem – Akpabio

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has said the decision to return Nigeria to its former national anthem reflects the National Assembly’s love for the country and desire to promote national unity.

Akpabio spoke on Friday when he led a high-level delegation of the National Assembly, including Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, to visit President Bola Tinubu at his Lagos residence as part of activities marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary.

The Senate President also expressed the National Assembly’s continued support for the Tinubu administration, saying the legislature was committed to maintaining a partnership with the executive to improve the country.

According to him, the reforms introduced by the administration were beginning to produce results, while insecurity was also abating despite what he described as “pockets of discontent”.

“We are happy with the fact that Nigeria has met 66 years. So we came to pay a visit to Nigeria through the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces,” Akpabio said.

“We believe he’s doing well. These reforms are working and, as far as we are concerned, insecurities are abating and people are able to sleep well,” he added.

Akpabio, however, acknowledged that some challenges remained, attributing part of the discontent to the approaching election period.

“We still have pockets of discontent here and there because of the fact that this is almost election time. A lot of mischief and all that.

“But at the end, our prayer always is that Nigeria shall be better, and God will help him to make Nigeria, beyond 66 years, a better country,” he said.

He described Nigeria’s survival as a united country after 66 years as evidence of its resilience, saying the country’s diversity should not prevent citizens from seeing themselves as brothers.

“That we are still together shows the resilience of this country. That Nigeria is still one. It shows the resilience of this country. It shows the love that God has for Nigeria,” Akpabio said.

“We are a praying nation. Whether you are a Muslim or you are a Christian, we are a praying nation. And God can never forsake us. And God will never forsake the President,” he added.

On the administration’s performance, the Senate President said the government was doing its best despite the circumstances it inherited.

“So the administration is doing its best, considering the situation we took when we came about. And we are prepared and determined to make the country better,” he said.

Akpabio said the National Assembly would continue to support the administration through legislation that it believes would benefit Nigerians.

“On the part of the National Assembly, we want to continue to remain worthy partners to the administration of President Bola Tinubu. And we believe that what we are doing is in the interest of all Nigerians,” he stated.

Explaining the significance of the national anthem change, Akpabio said the return to the anthem used at independence was a reflection of the country’s love for Nigeria and its message of brotherhood.

“Even from when we changed the national anthem to what it is today, and what it was then at independence, it’s a clear reflection of the love we have for Nigeria: that though tongues and tribes may differ, in brotherhood we stand,” he said.

“Nigerians must learn to be their brother’s keepers once more, and love must return to Nigeria. And progress is already on the trajectory. Things are changing,” Akpabio added.

On efforts to reduce the cost of living, the Senate President highlighted the National Assembly’s role in overhauling what he described as outdated laws, particularly those relating to taxation.

He noted that some of the laws inherited by the country dated back several decades, citing stamp duties legislation from 1939 and other laws incorporated in 1901.

“You’ve seen already, in three years, we have been able to tinker with all the anachronistic and old laws that we met on the ground,” Akpabio said.

He also pointed to reforms in the tax system, saying four major tax laws had been introduced as part of efforts to reform the country’s economic system.

According to him, the legislation initially faced scepticism but was eventually passed with broad support.

He said the National Assembly had demonstrated its commitment to supporting the administration through the speed with which it passed legislation and considered appointments intended to contribute to the government.

Akpabio urged Nigerians to assess the administration based on its results, maintaining that the government was matching its promises with action.

“Don’t forget, it’s easy to say with the mouth, but difficult to do. But in our own case, we are matching words with action. And so the government is going forward,” he added.