The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has kicked against calls to rename the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) after Queen Elizabeth II of England.
Ohanaeze Cautions FG Against Renaming UNN
KanyiDaily recalls that Queen Elizabeth, who was the longest-serving British monarch, died at the age of 96 on Thursday, September 9, 2021.
Following her death, a former presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Adamu Garba, called on the federal government to rename UNN to “Queen Elizabeth University of Nigeria since it is the first University in Nigeria.”
Reacting in a statement by its Secretary-General, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, Ohanaeze said Garba, must tender an apology to Ndigbo for making such an unhistorical remark which was capable of instigating conflict in the country.
The group said the South-East already has a symbol of respect for the late monarch as seen in the Queen Elizabeth Medical Center in Abia state, adding that it is “appropriate” for the northern region to have a “fair share” of the legacies of the monarch.
Ohanaeze added that If the federal government and the presidency wish to immortalize the late Queen, the most appropriate place to show gratitude to Great Britain should be at Aso Rock, (the Citadel of Power).
The statement reads, “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 Southeastern Nigeria and it’s worthwhile for novices like the former APC Presidential aspirant, Adamu Garba to know that the Federal Medical Center Umuahia, Abia State was renamed after the late British monarch, and is known as Queen Elizabeth Medical Center Umuahia, yet Nigerians are 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.
“Ndigbo was instrumental and played a role in hosting late Queen Elizabeth II, in 1956 when Nigeria hosted the late Queen. It has not skipped our memories about the assistance rendered by an Igbo wealthy business Mogul, Sir Louis Odumegwu Ojukwu when Queen Elizabeth II visited Nigeria in 1956.
“The then Nigerian Government couldn’t afford a Rolls-Royce, so it approached and borrowed this Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith LWB, from Sir Louis Odumegwu Ojukwu, the father of Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, the Igbo legendary icon.
“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 1st October 1960. And the most appropriate place to show gratitude to Great Britain should be at Aso Rock, (the Citadel of Power).
“So, we call on Federal Government to rename the Aso Rock Presidential Villa after Queen Elizabeth II. This is the best place to honour Queen Elizabeth II, not the University of Nigeria Nsukka because it’s incendiary to destroy the symbol of Nigeria’s Citadel of Learning. We urge Adamu Garba to apologise to Ndigbo over this un-historical comment.”
KanyiDaily recalls that a Nigerian US-based professor, Uju Anya had criticized Queen Elizabeth and wished her an “excruciating pain” for sponsoring the “genocide” that led to her family being displaced.
