Nigeria Centenary: FG Urged To Change Country’s Name

CENTENARY—From right: Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon; former President Shehu Shagari; former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar and President Goodluck Jonathan at the Nigeria Centenary flag-off ceremony in Abuja, Monday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

As activities for the celebration of Nigeria’s centenary commences in the country, the Nnadi Azikiwe Day Initiative, a social cultural groups has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to change the country’s name from Nigeria to People’s Republic of Africa (PRA).
In a statement signed by its Coordinator Chief Udoka Udeogaranya made available to journalists, the group said it was not proper for the country continue to maintain a national name given to it by the colonial masters.
According to the group,” We thought it wise that our dear nation should have a change of name from what the colonial masters called us to a new name that we shall call ourselves.
“A new name usually struck a new beginning and a lay off from negative antecedents, of which our nation must get rid-off. We are also aware about the financial cost and arguments against the change of name, but it does not out- weigh the need to give a new hope to a nation in search of a new life that they can be proud of.
“We therefore, task Jonathan to summon a meeting of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Senate President, Governors of the Federation to consider a change of name for the Federation of which shall take effect from midnight 1st October, 2014.”
The group counseled that the centenary project should not be clouded with calls for national conference, saying it should be dealt with as a national item for discussion.
Udeogaranya said though the country has encountered severe storms, its destiny has brought the nation to its present crossroads.
“Thus we hold a strong view that our nation must take a stock of all that we have been through in the last 99 years and readjust where necessary and encourage where encouragement is required in sustaining a greater nation,” he added.