As mixed reactions continued to trail the change of the nation’s national anthem by the Federal Government, the Edo State House of Assembly passed a bill to declare, “Beautiful Edo, Glorious Edo” as the official anthem of the state.
The “Beautiful Edo, Glorious Edo” is an executive bill sent to the House by the State Governor, Godwin Obaseki on May 20, 2024.
The Edo State Governor opined that the declaration of the “Beautiful Edo, Glorious Edo” as the official Anthem of Edo State, Nigeria, would promote unity, pride, and a sense of identity among the people of the State
Speaking on the bill, the Speaker of the House, Blessing Agbebaku, who said the Anthem was initiated by Betsy Obaseki, the First Lady of Edo State, noted that Edo would be the first state to have an official anthem.
According to him, if you listen to the lyrics and rhythm of the three stanzas of the anthem, they are all perfectly arranged and composed.
“Just like our president, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said that we should all go back to the old national anthem of “Nigeria we hail thee”, it is also good that as a state, we also have our official anthem”, he said.
Charity Iguodala Aiguobarughian, the Majority Leader of the House, who kicked- started the debate for the passage of the bill, said when passed into law it would go a long way in promoting unity, and the cultural heritage of the state.
The lawmakers who spoke in favour of the bill are Eric Okaka, APC, Minority Leader of the House, representing Owan East, Natasha Osawaru, PDP, deputy majority leader, representing Egor, Maria Edeko, PDP, deputy speaker, representing Esan North-East II, Kingsley Ugabi, APC, Etsako East among others.
The lawmakers, who said the late Anthony Enahoro, from the Midwest at the Western House of Parliament, was the first to move a motion for Nigeria’s independence, noted that Edo State is always known for initiating new policies and programmes in the country.
Earlier reported that Anthem had already been launched by the Edo State on May 27, 2024, during the Children’s Day Celebration at the Samuel Ogbemudia in Benin City.