Nigerians Who Fail To Recite National Anthem,10-year Prison Sentence, N5Million Fine – House Of Reps

The House of Representatives has introduced the Counter Subversion Bill 2024, a proposed legislation that aims to impose severe penalties on Nigerians who fail to recite the national anthem. The bill, sponsored by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, is currently set for its second reading, where its general principles will be debated.

According to the proposed legislation, anyone found guilty of refusing to recite the national anthem shall face severe consequences, including:

– A fine of N5 million
– A 10-year prison sentence
– Both fine and imprisonment

Additionally, the bill stipulates that anyone who destroys national symbols or places of worship shall be liable to the same punishment.

The bill also outlines penalties for other offenses, including:

– Setting up illegal roadblocks: N2 million fine, five years in prison, or both
– Performing unauthorized traffic duties: N2 million fine, five years in prison, or both
– Imposing illegal curfews: N2 million fine, five years in prison, or both
– Organizing unlawful processions: N2 million fine, five years in prison, or both
– Forcefully taking over places of worship or public spaces: N5 million fine, 10 years in prison, or both
– Professing loyalty to organizations that disregard Nigeria’s sovereignty: N3 million fine, four years in prison, or both

In May, President Bola Tinubu signed into law a bill to revert to Nigeria’s old national anthem, which was dropped by a military government in 1978. The newly re-adopted anthem, written by Lillian Jean Williams in 1959 and composed by Frances Berda, begins with the lyrics “Nigeria, We Hail Thee.”