Apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has asked that the Aso Rock (Presidential Villa) be renamed after Queen Elizabeth II.
Lifestyle Nigeria reports that the Secretary-General of the group, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, said this in a statement in response to Adamu Garba who suggested that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, should be renamed after the late Queen Elizabeth II to immortalise her.
While reacting, Ohanaeze described the opinion of Garba as a joke taken too far.
Ohanaeze, while sending a message of caution to the Federal Government against “renaming the foremost and most prestigious University, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, after the late British Monarch”, revealed that the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia was already renamed after the late British Monarch.
He said, “It is known as Queen Elizabeth Medical Centre, Umuahia, but Nigerians are yet to see the late Queen Elizabeth’s memorial in the Northern region.
“Ndigbo were instrumental and played a role in hosting the late Britain’s Monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, in 1956 when Nigeria hosted her.
“It has not skipped our memories about the assistance rendered by an Igbo wealthy business mogul, Sir Louis Odumegwu Ojukwu.
“The then Nigerian Government couldn’t afford a Rolls-Royce, so they approached and borrowed the one belonging to Sir Louis Odumegwu Ojukwu, the father of Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, the Igbo legendary icon”.
“If the Nigerian Government and the Presidency wish to immortalize the late Britain’s Monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, they should look at the role of the Queen in granting Nigeria political freedom and Independence on 1st October, 1960.
“So, the most appropriate place to show gratitude to the late Monarch should be the citadel of power.
“The Federal Government should rename the Aso Rock Presidential State House and Residence after Queen Elizabeth II.
“This is the best place to honor Queen Elizabeth II instead of destroying the symbol of Nigeria’s citadel of learning.”