The Sokoto Heritage Reloaded Initiative has renewed the call on President Bola Tinubu to fulfill a national promise made by the Buhari administration to name a national monument after late president Shehu Shagari, Nigeria’s first executive president.
Addressing a press conference on behalf of the group in Sokoto yesterday, Professor Uthman Abdulqadir said Shagari was not just a leader, but also a symbol of humility, integrity and statesmanship.
He recalled Shagari’s vision for Nigeria, especially in the area of education, saying it was during his tenure that the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) was first conceived to democratise access to higher education.
“Mr President, what better way to immortalise Shehu Shagari than to rename NOUN as Shehu Shagari Open University of Nigeria, a tribute not just to his legacy, but to his enduring vision for an educated and enlightened Nigeria.
“By doing this, Your Excellency, you would not only honour a great son of Nigeria, but also write your name in gold as the leader who kept promises made in good faith. It would signal that Nigeria is a country that remembers, rewards legacy and respect the contributions of its heroes past.”
The group tasked the president to take what it termed the noble step and immortalise President Shagari’s memory by naming a national monument in his honour.
