Jonathan, Sambo, Atiku, Dangote, Okadigbo, Otedola, 182 others honoured with Abuja street names

THE Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) yesterday released a list of over 182 eminent Nigerians and accomplished Africans who were honoured by naming major streets within the FCT after them.

The FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed, said during the FCT executive meeting yesterday that the major streets in Asokoro Extension, Guzape, Wupa, Wuye and Maitama Extension districts as well as expressways and roads would be renamed in honour of President Goodluck Jonathan, Vice President Namadi Sambo, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President, late Dr. Chuba Okadigbo; former Speaker of House of Representatives and Katsina State Governor-elect, Hon. Aminu Bello Masari; former Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Dahiru Musdapha; business moguls, Femi Otedola, Aliko Dangote and several others.

In a statement issued yesterday by the Media Assistant to the FCT Minister, Nosike Ogbuenyi, the soon-to-be commissioned Inner Southern Expressway which dissects Abuja City was named after President Jonathan while the longest Wuye District Boulevard express road measuring 1,730 metres was named after Dr. Atiku Abubakar.

Another major road in the same district was named after Vice President Sambo.

Other prominent personalities also honoured by naming streets after them in Asokoro district extension include former Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), Mr. Kofi Annan; South African anti-apartheid activist, late Walter Sisulu; former President of Sudan, Gaafar al-Nimeiry; former Minister of State for FCT, late Prof. Miriam Ikejiani-Clark, former Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi and 16 others.

Those having roads and streets named after them in Guzape District include former FCT Minister and Governor-elect of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir el-Rufai;former Inspector-General of Police, Sunday Adewusi; former Science and Technology Minister, Maj.-Gen. Sam Momah; former Special Duties Minister, late Alhaji Wada Nas; former Attorney-General of the Federation, late Mr. Clement Akpamgbo; incumbent FCT Minister, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed and 60 others.

Also, some Nigerians who had distinguished themselves in various sporting activities were also honoured with Abuja streets named after them. They include the first Nigerian single Olympic Gold medalist, Chioma Ajunwa; first Nigerian footballer to have scored in FIFA senior World Cup competition, late Rashidi Yekini; former world wrestling champion, late Power Mike Okpala; first Nigerian to win World Boxing title, Dick Tiger Ihetu and the youngest Nigerian to play at the African Cup of Nations, Daniel Amokachi. They all had streets named after them in Wupa District.

Others similarly honoured include a former Governor of Bauchi State and National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu; former Imo State Governor, late Chief Sam Mbakwe; nine former Speakers of House of Representatives, including Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, eight former Senate Presidents, including Dr. Nwafor Orizu who had Ring Road II (i.e. Outer Southern Expressway from Area One Roundabout to Galadimawa Roundabout) named after him.

Explaining the rationale behind the naming, the Co-ordinator of Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), Reuben Okoya, said the “street naming in FCT is done in accordance with standing guidelines, principles and criteria that ensure the promotion of national unity.”