National Anthem’s composer, Benedict Odiase, dies in his sleep !

The man who composed Nigeria’s National Anthem, Pa. Benedict Odiase is dead. He died on Tuesday night in his sleep at his Oregun, Lagos home. His transition, which occurred a few hours to the death of yet another legendary singer, Pa. Fatai Rolling Dollars, left Nigerians in mourning mood.

Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan had described Pa Odiase as a courageous police officer who lived an exemplary life, and who had in death, bequeathed an indelible legacy to the nation which would continue to inspire present and future generations of Nigerians to greater heights of accomplishments’.

With the death of two great artistes under 24 hours, the Nigerian entertainment sector is once again bereaved, even as the country has recorded the loss of prominent artistes in the recent past.

And so death has struck again, forcing another music legend to take his final walk. This time, it snatched Pa Odiase whose name was probably not reckoned with, but whose legacy is inextricably engrained in the very fabric of our national Identity.

As a composer per excellence, Odiase wrote and composed Nigeria’s National Anthem, Arise O Compatriots in May 1978. The Federal Government had in that year thrown open the competition to Nigerians to compose the National Anthem. Odiase, like every other Nigerian sent his entry and he was subsequently shortlisted along with two other great composers- Professors Laz Ekwueme and Akin Euba.

Eventually, the Federal Government through Mr. Christopher Oyesiku, leader of the then Federal Radio Corporation oF Nigeria (FRCN), announced Odiase as winner of the competition and this entry was formally chosen as the country’s National Anthem on October 1, 1978.

But despite his achievement as a great composer whose work was selected as Nigeria’s National Anthem, Pa Odiase (MON) remained a humble and unassuming man till death. He was said to have lived a quiet life at his Oregun home in Lagos. Last year when Nigeria turned 52, Pa Odiase disclosed in a media interview how the Musical Copyrights Society Nigeria (MCSN), has handed to him, royalties for his work that were being exploited at various locations around the world.

On whether he was adequately compensated for the composition, Pa Odiase said there was no immediate reward or commendation but that in December 2001, he received the award of Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) from the Federal Government.

The late elder statesman joined the Nigeria Police Force in March 1954 and served in the force based on instructions from the Police High Command. The Federal Government of Nigeria or any of its departments or agencies specifically for the purpose of writing and composing the anthem did not commission him.

When he discovered that his works were being used without adequate remuneration or royalties, Odiase transferred his copyright interest in the work, Arise O Compatriot to the Musical Copyright Society Nigeria (MCSN) from the Performing Rights Society of United Kingdom. The decision paid off as the society has protected his work since 1998 and has paid royalties to him from the usage of his composition both locally and abroad.

Having served his fatherland for many years, Pa Odiase retired in 1992 as a Deputy Commissioner of Police. He had earlier served as the Director of Music with the Nigeria Police Band.

Following Pa Odiase’s transition, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) has joined other Nigerians to commiserate with the relations and family of the late composer.

In a release by the Chief Press Secretary, Paul Odenyi, the NOA Director General, Mr. Mike Omeri, described Pa Odiase as an icon of patriotism and nationalism who lived a fulfilled life in the service of fatherland.

He further added that Pa Odiase contributed to nation building by giving Nigeria one of her unique national symbols, the National Anthem, stressing that his composition in May 1978 stands as enduring legacy for which posterity will forever admire him.