The apex northern sociocultural group, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has expressed delight over the renaming of the University of Abuja by the federal government after former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (Retd).
ACF described the gesture as befitting and worthy honour coming on the heels of the elder statesman’s 90th Birthday anniversary, adding that “it is also a Christmas gift of sorts from the FGN to the amiable and charismatic General!”
The apex northern group said it “received news of the decision of the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) to rename the University of Abuja after General Yakubu Gowon, PhD, GCFR, Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, during the years, 1967 – 1975.”
A statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the forum, Professor Tukur Muhammad-Baba said it is more pleasing that the honour was bestowed on the ACF’s Grand Patron.
More than this, ACF noted that General Gowon “is a nationalist of quintessential extraordinaire, an icon of Nigeria’s struggles for national unity, a man of great humility, a symbol of military professionalism, revered hero who gave his all to Keep Nigeria One, even as his (and our) particular dreams remain very much a work-in-progress.”
ACF further described the gesture honouring such a deserving national hero while he is still alive to savour the recognition as most commendable.
The Forum called on the National Assembly to accelerate passage of the necessary legislation to concretise the renaming.
Finally, the ACF congratulates the former Head of State, his family and friends on the honour, and also extends same felicitation to the University of Abuja Community and Nigeria at large.
