ABUJA—VICE Chairman, Senate Committee on Industries, Senator Ibrahim Musa, CPC, Niger North, said, yesterday, that President Goodluck Jonathan should have named the National Stadium, Abuja, after late Chief M.K.O. Abiola instead of renaming the University of Lagos, UNILAG, in his honour.
According to the Senator, June 12 should be named democracy day in honour of the late politician and business man.
Senator Musa, who told Vanguard that the President did the right thing by sending a Bill to the Senate to approve the change of name of the university, said: “President Jonathan, at last, has
done what he failed to do before renaming University of Lagos.
“This is a good development and the best way to immortalise Abiola is by renaming, not only a school after him, but more important monuments such as the National Stadium in Abuja, and declaring June 12 as democracy day.”
Also speaking with Vanguard, Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Solid Minerals, Senator Boluwaju Kunlere, LP, Ondo South, who urged the Federal Government to name a main building in the Presidential Villa after late Chief Abiola, said: “Eagle Square or the main building of Aso Rock should be named after late Abiola so that any President coming in and going out of the Aso Rock Villa will see the name of Abiola as a man whose blood was shed for our democracy.
“It should have been appropriate to name Eagle Square, where the President takes the oath of office or the National Stadium, after him. Abiola was known as a politician because of June 12 and his love for sports.”
Supporting President Jonathan’s move in renaming the UNILAG after Abiola, Chairman, Senate Committee on Special Duties, Senator Ikirikpo Claver, PDP, Bayelsa East, said: “President Goodluck Jonathan’s renaming of University of Lagos after Abiola is a good one. My problem with the people of Nigeria is that people who are not in power do not appreciate what those in power are doing.
“What Nigerians should know is the issue of maintaining our educational system. Many renowned institutions have been renamed, like the famous University of Ife. They are moving on fine. We should help our leaders to do better by encouraging them and not by crucifying them.”
When asked to comment on the bill and the renaming of UNILAG, Chairman, Senate Committee on Agriculture, Senator Emmanuel Bwacha, PDP, Taraba South, simply said: “I am in agreement.”
For the Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, PDP, Abia Central, “the Senate will debate the bill when we resume from the end of year break. I will then communicate the decision of the Senate.”
Also speaking on the bill sent to the Senate, Chairman, Committee on Rules and Business, Senator Ita Solomon Enang, PDP, Akwa Ibom North-East, said: “The President has requested the National Assembly to approve it. We cannot say yes or no now because the bill is before us. The President requested us to approve it. Comments can only be made when we are discussing the bill.”
News credit: Vanguard
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