Pa Odiase
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Born
25 August 1934
Benedict Elide Odiase
25 August 1934
Died11 June 2013 (aged 78)
OccupationsComposer, Police Officer
Years active1954–1992
Pa Ben Odiase | |
|---|---|
| Born | Benedict Elide Odiase 25 August 1934 |
| Died | 11 June 2013 (aged 78) |
| Occupations | Composer, Police Officer |
| Years active | 1954–1992 |
Pa Benedict Odiase (August 25, 1934 – June 11, 2013) was a Nigerian composer who composed "Arise, O Compatriots," the former national anthem of Nigeria. "Arise, O Compatriots," which was adopted in 1978, replaced the country's previous (now reinstated) national anthem, "Nigeria, We Hail Thee".[1]
Odiase was born in 1934, and raised in British Nigeria, where Edo State is now.[2] He served in the Nigerian Police Force from 1954 to 1992 and was also the music director of the Nigerian Police Band and the MId-West State Police Band. He was awarded the Order of the Niger in December 2001.[3]
Odiase died from a short illness on June 11, 2013, at the age of 78.
