Ogbakor Ikwerre United States of America (U.S.A)/Canada (OIUSA/Canada), a socio-cultural organisation of Iwhuruohna indigenes of the Niger Delta, who are resident in North America, has faulted the re-naming of Port Harcourt International Airport after a non-indigene of the region.

It was learnt that in the twilight of the Muhammadu Buhari administration, the airport was renamed Obafemi Awolowo International Airport.

The North America-based Diaspora organisation rose from its international emergency meeting recently, wondering why the airport was not named after a prominent indigene of the Niger Delta where the airport is located.

It recalled that OIUSA/Canada and other Diaspora organisations had made appeals in the past for naming of the airport after late Senator Obi Wali, a prominent citizen of the area.

The president of the organisation, Patrick Anyawoke, recalled that the group had forwarded a proposal to the Federal Government on September 6, 2021, through the Federal Executive Council, urging that the airport be renamed after Wali. He recalled that OIUSA/Canada made a similar appeal to the Federal Government in 2004.

He said that naming the airport after Wali is the proper thing to do in view of his extensive and remarkable contributions in creation of Rivers State, as well as his self-sacrifices for the unity of the country during the civil war, even at the expense of his life.