Composer of the national anthem, Pa Odiase is dead

Pa. Benedict Odiase

Composer of the National Anthem, Arise O Compatriots, Benedict Odiase died Tuesday night, following a prolonged ailment.

The late Odiase was the Director of Music with the Nigeria Police Band until he retired in 1992 as a Deputy Commissioner of Police.

Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan has commiserated with the family, colleagues, associates and friends of Pa Odiase.


President Jonathan, in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati said he “believes that the late police officer, who was the Director of the Nigerian Police Band until he retired in 1992, will always be remembered and honoured whenever the National Anthem, which captures the vision of Nigeria as a great nation, is played.”

According to the statement “as he is mourned, the President urges Pa Odiase’s family, former colleagues in the police and friends across the country to be consoled by the knowledge that the late police officer lived an exemplary life.

“In passing on, he bequeathed an indelible legacy to the nation, which will continue to inspire present and future generations to greater heights of accomplishment.”