The Federal Government through the FCT Administration has revealed plans to honour some eminent Nigerians and other accomplished Africans by naming major streets in Asokoro Extension, Guzape, Wupa, Wuye and Maitama Extension districts as well as expressways and roads after them.
FCT Minister, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed who disclosed this on Monday during the FCT Executive Committee meeting held at his Life Camp, Abuja, reeled out the names of the honorees among them 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 Stat Governor-elect, Hon. Aminu Bello Masari, former Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Dahiru Musdapha, Business moguls, Femi Otedola, Aliko Dangote and several others.
The soon-to-be commissioned Inner Southern Expressway which dissects Abuja city centre 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 extension district extension include former Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. Kofi Anan, 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-Gneral of Police, Sunday Adewusi, former Science and Technology Minister, Major-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.
Some Nigerians who had distinguished themselves in various sporting activities were also among those honoured with Abuja streets named after them. They include 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, willie Tiger Ihetu and the youngest Nigerian to play at the African Cup of Nations, Mr. Daniel Amokachi. They all had streets named after them in Wupa district.
Others similarly honoured include a former Governor of Bauchi State, Alhaji Adamu Muazu, 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 (ie Outer Southern Expressway from Area One Roundabout to Galadimawa Roundabout) named after him.
Explaining the rationale behind the naming, the Coordinator of Abuja Metropolitan Management Council, (AMMC), Arc. Reuben Okoya said that “street naming in FCT is done in accordance with standing guidelines, principles and criteria that ensure the promotion of national unity.”
He further explained that streets in Asokoro District have been named after very important personalities such as world leaders, African heroes, former Chief Justices of the Federation while naming in Guzape is mainly after serving and former Ministers of the Federation.
Okoya added that the criterion for implementation of street naming in Maitama District is names of natural land forms such as rivers, lakes, hills, springs and mountains. As for the criterion for streets naming in Wupa District, it is predicated on recognition of contributors to national developments in various fields such as sports, business, culture, philanthropy and industry.
In Wuye District, the criterion is recognition of serving and former Vice Presidents of Nigeria, former Senate Presidents, former Speakers of House of Representatives and former Permanent secretaries. Concerning Gudu District, the naming is in recognition of former State Governors and related personalities, he added.
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