Pa Ben Odiaze, Nigeria's National Anthem, Buried

It was reported that no official from the presidency officially attended the burial rite of Pa Ben Elide Odiase, the late deputy commissioner of police (rtd), who composed the national anthem and was awarded a member of the order of Niger by the federal government.
However, Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar has said that the Police in particular and Nigeria in general has lost an icon in the person of Odiase, who died at the age of 79.

He made the remark during the commendation service held Friday morning during the commendation service at Police College in Ikeja, Lagos which was graced by both serving and retired police officers as well as rank and file.

In his own remark,  Orits Wiliki, the Chairman Nigeria Music Copyright Association, an association which the late Police officer was a member during his life time also faulted the federal government dismal treatment of the funeral rites. 

He said: “It is indeed sad that the government in Nigeria has always failed to address the issue of honouring those who made great impact on our life as Pa Odiase did. What would one say, of the near absence of government presence (Local, State and Federal) at a great occasion like this” He enthused

A visibly angry family member of the deceased, who would not want his name in print, revealed to our correspondent that the only monetary assistant of one million naira the family received came from the Nigeria Police.

He wondered why the Federal Government or the Lagos State Government where the late officer spent the better part of his life did not even deem it worthwhile to send representatives.

“As you can observe in this country, those who served their establishment without blemish are often not given their deserve respect be it in their life time or even when they pass on, how do you reconcile the non-presence of government at the burial of the man who gave the country its anthem .This cannot happen in other clime” He quipped.

Late Pa Odiase in 1978 rose to the clarion call to serve his fatherland composing the music that would best fit the already –formed anthem lyrics. His composition was selected and adjudged the best by the then Supreme Military Council (SMC) .He was the first indigenous Director of Music for the Nigeria Police Force since the Police Band came into existence in 1892. .Under his leadership, he established Police State Bands in twelve Area Commands.