Composer of Nigeria’s National anthem, Pa Benedict Odiase is dead.

   The composer of  Nigeria’s National Anthem, Arise O Compatriots, Pa Benedict Odiase died last night in his sleep. Odiase, who composed the nation’s national anthem in 1978 resigned from the Nigeria Police Force where he was Director of Music in 1992 as a Deputy Commissioner of Police. He was awarded Member of The Order of the Niger (MON) in 2001 in recognition for his contribution to music in the country.
Contrary to reports that he died in penury, Odiase had this to say in a recent interview: “I have transferred my intellectual/ copyright interest in the work, Arise O Compatriot, being used as the Nigerian National Anthem to the Musical Copyright Society Nigeria (MCSN) from the Performing Rights Society of United Kingdom, for protection since 1998. This decision to accede my rights to MCSN has paid off handsomely as the society has protected my work and paid royalties to me in hard currency from the exploitation of my composition around the world and locally.