DOES THE NATIONAL ANTHEM INSPIRE YOU?

Azuka Onwuka

I don’t understand what the Germans say in their national anthem, but anytime I hear the tune during a World Cup match or other sporting event, I feel like shedding tears. Maybe, it is because the tune is the same as that of a church hymn I know and love: “Austria”. Maybe, it is because the tune is soulful and yet uplifting. Whatever the reason, the tune of the German anthem feels good. I never lived in George Orwell’s Animal Farm with Snowball, Napoleon and co, but any time I sing the “Beasts of England” anthem in that little but powerful book, I get close to tears. The tune and the words can make someone kill for his fatherland.

I am a graduate of the University of Nigeria, and any time I hear the anthem of that university, I feel a deep sense of nostalgia and feel proud that I am a product of that institution. The anthem of UNN makes all Lions and Lionesses feel like a special breed of graduates. When students and graduates of UNN chant the refrain of their anthem, they feel they can conquer the world:

“My Alma Mater, my Alma Mater,

Noble are thy looks and thy ideals;

And great art thou in Science and in Art.

In other realms of learning,

Thou art all sublime.”

I did my National Youth Service Corps programme with joy, but right from the orientation camp to this day, any time I hear the anthem of the

NYSC, I feel my tummy churn in repulsion. The NYSC anthem is too boring and uninspiring for youths serving their fatherland to sing. The tune is drab: like the work of someone that lacks enthusiasm.

These are the two stanzas of Nigeria’s anthem:

Arise, O compatriots,

Nigeria’s call obey

To serve our Fatherland

With love and strength and faith.

The labour of our heroes past

Shall never be in vain,

To serve with heart and might

One nation bound in freedom, peace and unity.

O God of creation,

Direct our noble cause;

Guide our Leaders right:

Help our Youth the truth to know,

In love and honesty to grow,

And live in just and truth,

Great lofty heights attain,

To build a nation where peace and justice reigns.

What feelings do the national anthem evoke in you anytime you hear it? As for me, the anthem does not fire me up when I hear it. The old anthem “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” (which was rested in 1978) even touches me, and I think many more Nigerians, more than this current anthem.

First of all, the tune of the anthem is too military-like. It almost sounds like martial music. Maybe the reason is because the music was composed by the Nigerian Police Band, led by Mr. Ben Odiase. It is too serious and almost emotionless. It sounds too rational. An anthem is meant to evoke emotions in the singer. That is why “We Are the World” by USA for Africa or “Heal the World” by Michael Jackson or “Redemption Song” by Bob Marley are so touching. Whenever I hear Funmi Adams’ “Nigeria, My Beloved Country” or Sonny Okosuns “Which Way, Nigeria?”, I am moved to tears because they are so emotional and melodious.

The first stanza of our national anthem is an appeal to fellow compatriots to obey the call of the nation and serve their fatherland. This creates the impression of forcing an unwilling and unmotivated workforce to work. The second stanza is another appeal: this time to God to help our leaders and the led to work in the interest of Nigeria.

Anthems are meant to inspire and uplift those who sing them. The Nigerian anthem does not. An anthem is meant to do what war songs do to warriors. At times of fear, when a war song is sung by warriors, fear gradually evaporates and courage takes over. They are transformed from ordinary men to extraordinary men who are not afraid to die for their country.

It is better that an anthem is boastful than that it sounds apologetic. It is not supposed to be filled with modest words of facts about the true state of things in your nation. It is supposed to define what you hope to achieve as a nation in future. An anthem is meant to celebrate the institution it represents. That is why songs like “Sweet Mother” by Prince Nico Mbarga and “Igwe” by the Midnight Crew are so popular. They shower praises on mother and God respectively.

The first stanza of the United States anthem ends thus:

“O! say does that star-spangled banner yet wave,

O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?”

When translated into English, the first two lines of the German anthem say:

“Germany, Germany above everything,

Above everything in the world.”

If you are not happy with these boastful words, you go write yours. After all, they are talking about their respective countries, not yours. Every country is free to make any claim it likes, if that will give its citizens a sense of pride and worth.

Some people may put across the usual worn-out argument that the national anthem is not our major problem now, and that we can compose a befitting anthem when we achieve the desired greatness. But you don’t put the cart before the horse and hope for any results. A serious company does not wait to achieve greatness before creating an inspiring vision and mission statements (whether written or unwritten). Renowned writer, Prof. Chinua Achebe, could be right when he said that the trouble with Nigeria is leadership. But he did not tell us why our leadership have consistently not lived up to expectation. Our leaders – whether elected, appointed or unelected – emerge from among us. So are we a lower species of human beings? No, we are not. We excel in other areas of life but become mediocre once issues concerning Nigeria are involved. So I think that the trouble with Nigeria is lack of nationalism: A lack of belief in Nigeria and commitment to the nation. That is what causes the leadership to be ineffective and also makes the following not to rise collectively against the perennial misrule it gets. As far as most Nigerians are concerned, Nigeria is “their Nigeria”, not “our Nigeria.”

If we can inculcate a deep sense of nationalism in Nigerians, the nation will be on its way to success. And the national anthem is one way to rebrand Nigeria.

PUNCH