A bill seeking to give a legal frame work to the Nigerian National Anthem has passed through the second reading on the floor of the Senate.

The sponsor of the bill, Senator Osita Izunaso says if passed in to law, it will give protection to the anthem against unwarranted tampering and abuse and will also prevent it from being changed arbitrarily by any government.

"Our National Anthem if not backed by law, might be rightly jettisoned into the historical dustbin if any President feels he does not like it," Mr Izunaso said.

The bill seeks, among other things, to give a legal framework to the National Anthem and gives protection to it against unwarranted tampering and abuse. The bill is to make the playing of the Nigerian Anthem a revered, respectful and solemn occasion and prescribes penalties for anyone who deliberately brings contempt and ridicule to the act. He lamented that the national anthem which "encapsulates our collective pride and patriotism, is not backed up with any legal instrument."

Ayogu Eze, the senate spokesman, said the bill is very significant as it will save the current national anthem of Nigeria from the fate of the initial one.

"If we have had the bill like the one on the floor now years ago, the old anthem will still be in existence, because if you ask me, the old one is better than this new one." Mr Eze said.

Mr Izunaso said it is regrettable that successive past governments "either out of oversight or lack of political will did not care about this thereby exposing our national anthem to the vagaries or vicissitude of tomorrow." Every senator who spoke supported the bill. They said if passed, the bill would help to strengthen the sense of our national identity within and outside of Nigeria.

The bill was referred to the senate committee on interior matters, which would hold public hearing on it and report back to the senate, possibly before their tenure expires in May 2011.