United African Republic: Buhari not responsible for Nigeria’s proposed name change – Aide

An aide to President Muhammadu Buhari has said the Nigerian leader is not responsible for the proposed change of the country’s name to the United African Republic.

Bashir Ahmad, Buhari’s special assistant on new media, said a group or individual was responsible for proposing the United African Republic as a name for Nigeria.

“It’s not the Nigerian government, particularly, Pres Buhari that submitted the change of name proposal, it’s an individual or a group that submitted it,” Ahmad tweeted on Thursday.

“But a large number of people have already taken it to their head, accusing the President of something he absolutely no hand in.”

The presidential aide’s response came after Nigeria’s House of Representatives received a proposal to rename Nigeria to the United African Republic (UAR).

‘Why Nigeria should be renamed the United African Republic’
Adeleye Jokotoye, a tax consultant in Lagos state, who proposed that Nigeria should be renamed the United African Republic, argued that the current name was not given to the country by its citizens but by Flora Shaw, wife of Lord Lugard, a colonialist, adding that it does not promote unity amongst citizens.

“First and foremost, I want to recommend a name change from Nigeria to the United Africans Republic (UAR),” the proposal reads.

“The significance of name change cannot be overemphasised. Even God our father, in the Holy books, changed names of prophets e.g. Saul to Paul, Jacob to Israel, etc. The reason for the name change is to physically and psychologically reflect a new beginning.”

Jokotoye submitted the proposal to the National Assembly committee in Lagos during a public hearing of altering the constitution and making amendments to it.

He said, at the crossroads in Nigeria’s history, “it is mandatory that we change our name to reflect a new beginning which will be ushered in with a new constitution.”

“The word ‘Africa’ is a Greek word meaning ‘Without Cold’. Africa was originally called ‘Alkebulan’, meaning ‘Mother of Mankind’ (Garden of Eden),” Jokotoye said.

“Alkebulan is the oldest and the only word of indigenous origin used by Moors, Nubians, and Ethiopians. So, if we like, we can go a step further and name our nation, United Alkebulan Republic (meaning ‘United Mother of Mankind Republic).”

Nigerian to Uranium? Nigerians joke about proposed name
Nigerians on Twitter are already suggesting ways to brand their, maybe, soon-to-be country name – United African Republic – abbreviated UAR.

If Jokotoye’s proposal is approved, Nigeria will need a new national anthem to reflect the United African Republic – and that will not be a challenge, according to Afro-pop artiste Naira Marley.

Omo Na me go sing the new national Anthem for UAR. 🇳🇬

— nairamarley (@officialnairam1) June 2, 2021

While a citizen of Nigeria is globally recognised or addressed as a Nigerian, many citizens seem to fancy being called Uranium, the same as a radioactive chemical element used in making bombs. Some other Nigerians can’t imagine being called Uranium.

If a man from Nigeria is called a Nigerian, a man from United African Republic (UAR) is called?
Me: Uranium pic.twitter.com/rlaBmtTzDz

— Kelvin Uwumarogie (@kelvinrogie) June 2, 2021

In Nigeria,
We asked for police reforms, they changed uniform

We asked for to endsars, they change name

Prison reforms, they change name to correctional facility

Country Dey boil, na to change name be the Koko

United African Republic kor
Uranium ni

— KiNG D!V!NE Esq (@Divineze) June 2, 2021

Now that you people are planning to change Nigeria’s name to United African Republic, What will I do with My Great nation song?!

Una Dey stress me too much.

— Timi Dakolo (@timidakolo) June 2, 2021

If I'm an active radio listener from UAR, does that make me a Radioactive Uranium? pic.twitter.com/BKn0YZWuP0

— Daniel Extraordinary (@danxtraordinary) June 3, 2021

So when Nigeria is finally changed to "United African Republic", The citizen will now be called Uranium 😂😂 sense will not kill me pic.twitter.com/oXEfhHg7lG

— woli Arole ❁ (@officialarole1) June 2, 2021

Congratulations!

You've finally left Nigeria.

Welcome to United African Republic.

You will now be called URANIUM pic.twitter.com/fSSqgtgDau

— Caleb Olúwatóbi (@iamKayleb_) June 3, 2021

I pledge to UAR my country. To be faithful loyal and honest. To serve as an Uranium with all my strength. Abeg those that collected national id card of Nigeria. You better go change it to Uranium pic.twitter.com/3LjWNHoywH

— Jennifer (@benoni2341) June 3, 2021

The names they’re giving United African Republic is killing me 😂😂 which one is Uranium again

— Duke of Ibadan 🀄️ (@_AsiwajuLerry) June 3, 2021

Slept as a citizen of Nigeria, and woke up as a Uranium. pic.twitter.com/9yCNx5lDgX

— Sammy (@SaRmuelWithanR) June 3, 2021

I think I should make a branded shirt sef.

Aseju ni Nigeria
Uranium ti da.
🤣🤣🤣🤣

— 𝙼𝙾𝚃𝙰𝚁𝙰(모타라 )🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 (@_theladymo) June 3, 2021

So I learnt that people from UAR would be called Uranium 😂 I'm afraid of this country pic.twitter.com/0qbKkT4idp

— Taciann💋 (@Taci_Ann) June 3, 2021

They have not made Nigerians happy, is it UARIAN they are going to make happy
I pledge to URANIUM my country 🙄

— Omo Kiikan 💙💐 (@OmoKiikan) June 3, 2021

I'm an uranium from United African Republic. It's nice meeting you 😏#uarians pic.twitter.com/v18ZVQdAKA

— Opeyemi Jacobs💡 (@opeyemi_jacobs) June 3, 2021

Arise O' Compatriots
UAR call obey

My fellow UARians, let's us drink some juice as we may be relocated to Uranus soon #UAR #UARians #uranium pic.twitter.com/gPmoUa5nT7

— OmoDelta (@jennyfhar) June 3, 2021

Good day my fellow Uranium's 😂#Unitedafricanrepublic #uranium #Uarians pic.twitter.com/IcBmbWC70l

— OwoUyo🍻 (@ekerette_nsubo) June 3, 2021