The recent adoption of a regional anthem by the six southwest governors in Lagos has sparked a debate among Nigerians.
The anthem, first adopted during the premiership of the late sage Chief Obafemi Awolowo, reignited a charged conversation around national identity, regional politics, and the country’s proposed return to regional government.
The Anthem
The newly adopted anthem, originally composed by Chief Obafemi Awolowo, emphasizes working for the betterment of the Yoruba people’s ancestral land and achieving unity and freedom.
It calls upon the Yoruba people to rise and embrace their rightful place as leaders.
As one of the country’s formidable blocs, the southwest governor’s forum meeting of June 10, 2024, at the Lagos State Government House, Marina, centered around discussing issues related to the region’s development.
The meeting, first since the death of their former chairman, ex-Ondo state governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, had Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, Jide Sanwoolu of Lagos, Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti, Ademola Adeleke of Osun, and Lucky Ayedatiwa of Ondo were in attendance.
While briefing the press after the meeting, Babajide Sanwoolu, Lagos state governor, and the forum’s new chairman disclosed the adoption, with many describing the decision as long overdue and a right step in the right direction.
While the adoption of the ‘Ise Fun Ilewa’ anthem was a highlight of the meeting, other far-reaching inter-governmental decisions, particularly in areas of state police, agriculture, and the national minimum wage, were also extensively and broadly discussed.
‘Different Tongues and Tribes’
As expected, the adoption of the regional anthem quickly generated heated debates, with mixed reactions from proponents and opponents trailing the decision.
Supporters of the anthem contended that the decision was in the region’s best interest, given its cultural richness and beauty. They asserted that Nigeria’s uniqueness shines brighter through its diversity lens, adding that the anthem not only reflects the country’s heterogeneity but also depicts its plurality.
They pointed to the adoption of different state logos, some of which reflected the uniqueness of their respective states, as well as showcasing cultural, historic, and symbolic heritage that stamped their peculiarity on the federal structure, particularly among other states of the federation.
Lagos, Oyo, and Osun, to name just three states of the federations, have their respective logos that capture not just their strength and uniqueness, but also remind them of their semi-autonomous entity in the grand scheme of things in the country.
Analysts anticipate a debate on national identity. They observed that the adoption of a regional anthem could potentially signal a shift away from the concept of a single Nigeria in the region, or that ethnic champions could potentially benefit from the announcement.
‘logo to the anthem’
A scholar, Umar Tanko, said the debate over whether Nigeria is a state or a nation has also fueled much of the conversation around the adoption.
He said a nation’s key feature is homogeneity, whereas a state’s main characteristic is heterogeneity, adding that Switzerland has enjoyed that homogeneity more than any other nation on earth.
He further asserted that Nigeria, home to up to 400 ethnic groups, defies true nationhood. For the Pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, the adoption signifies unity of purpose. “In fact, it was Chief Awolowo who composed the anthem and asked Chief Hubert Ogunde, the renowned artist, to give the anthem a melody,” said Jare Ajayi, the organization’s national publicity secretary. Another chieftain of the group, Kole Omololu, echoed a similar view, saying the anthem depicts the Yoruba as a nation.
