Mrs Bisayo Busari-Akinnadeju, Founder, Project One, Civil Society Organisation (CSO), says the organisation will award scholarships to students in recognition of the composers of Nigerian National Anthem.
Busari-Akinnadeju restated in an interview with newsmen in Abuja on Friday that Dr Omoigui, John Ilechukwu, Eme Etim Akpan, B.A Ogunnaike and P.O Aderibigbe; as well as the late Pa Benedict E. Odiase composed the lyrics of the present Nigerian National Anthem.
She said further that the organisation decided to recognise the composers having studied their commitments to national development and patriotism.
She observed that although the late Odiase received a national honour, the other five composers had yet to receive appropriate recognition.
Busari-Akinnadeju said that the organisation would select the beneficiaries of the scholarships to be named after the composers through essay and poetry competition during its annual conference in Abuja.
She said that the organisation had put together the competition for school students to motivate them to aspire to contribute to the nation’s development, growth and identity.
“This is to educate, inspire and motivate youths to respond to their nation’s call; we believe that the students who will benefit from the scholarship will be inspired to also contribute to the nation’s history,’’ she said.
According to her, the objective of the scholarship award is to re-awaken the consciousness of youths, especially students, in aspiring to be great and useful in the society.
She noted that although the composers were doing well in their various fields of career, they deserve recognition for their immense contribution to giving Nigerian an identity.
“Nigerians talk about past presidents and their achievements and past traditional rulers, but fail to talk about those who contributed in giving Nigeria an identity,’’ she observed.
She said that the scholarship awards would further prepare students for service; raising a society of young leaders to teach love, resilience, peace, unity and increased faith in their country.
Akinnadeju also called on youths to uphold the labour of past leaders by exercising their civic rights in the 2019 general elections without fear.
She noted that the political consciousness of the youth had been re-awakened and urged them to take the advantage by electing their leaders wisely in the elections.
“We cannot over-emphasise the power of one man at the polling units as the power of one vote is enough to change an election results.
“So we will work tirelessly to reiterate the need for youths to get registered and issued with the permanent voter card and take active part in electoral processes,’’ she said.
The Nigerian National Anthem “Arise O Compatriots’’ was adopted in 1978 which replaced the previous “Nigeria we Hail Thee’’
