It is best to name Aso Rock after Queen Elizabeth – Ohanaeze Ndigbo tackles Adamu Garba

A comment made by former presidential aspirant of the Young Progressives Party, Adamu Garba, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, has met stiff resistance from many including Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

Adamu Garba has called for the renaming of University of Nigeria Nsukka after the late queen.

But the apex socio-cultural organisation in Igbo land has asked the Presidency to jettison the call to name the University of Nigeria Nsukka after Queen Elizabeth, saying such move can be best for Aso Rock in Abuja or other parts of the North.

The Chidi Ibeh-led Ohanaeze Ndigbo, in a statement by its Secretary-General, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, said such remark was capable of instigating conflict in the country.

“The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has cautioned the Federal Government against renaming the foremost and most prestigious University, the University of Nigeria Nsukka after the late British monarch, Queen Elizabeth II.

“The University has bequeathed a legacy in south-eastern Nigeria and it’s worthwhile for the former APC presidential aspirant, Adamu Garba to know that the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, Abia State, was renamed after the late British monarch, and is known as Queen Elizabeth Medical Centre, Umuahia, yet Nigerians have yet to see the late Queen Elizabeth’s legacies in northern Nigeria. It’s appropriate for the North to have a fair share of the Queen’s legacy.

“If the Federal Government and the Presidency wish to immortalise late Queen Elizabeth II, it should look at the role of the Queen in granting Nigeria political freedom and independence on October 1, 1960. And the most appropriate place to show gratitude to Great Britain should be at Aso Rock.