Former Vice President and Chieftain of the PeoplesDemocratic Party (PDP), Dr. Alex Ekwueme has called onthe federal government not to name institutions andmonuments in Nigeria after individuals that are beyond70 years of age.
Speaking in Abuja yesterday when the Board of Trusteesof the Alex Ekwueme foundation was inaugurated, theformer Vice President said when such institutions arenamed after individuals and later changed by newadministrations, it becomes a source of embarrassmentsto the individuals concerned.
Dr. Ekwueme gave instanceswhere institutions and roads were named after elderstatesmen and the in-coming administration changed thehonour to the persons concerned to the embarrassmentof the honorees.
For instance, he said that the Lagos Broad Street wasnamed after General Yakubu Gowon, but was changed bythe regime of General Muritala Mohammed.
Also, he said that Wetheral Road and Douglas Road inOwerri, Imo state were named after late Chief SamMbakwe and late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, but wassubsequently changed to their previous names by theadministration of General Ike Nwachukwu to the chagrinand embarrassment of those concerned.Ekwueme explained that it was for this reason, that hewas reluctant to support the setting of the Alex Ekwueme Foundation, but have to give in when thepressure was becoming too much.
The former Vice President therefore advised thefederal and state government to have it as a matter ofpolicy that only Nigerians of 70 years and above arenamed after great institutions and monuments.
Earlier, the President of Alex Ekwueme Foundation, Dr.Duke Igwilo said that the aim of the foundation wasto foster peace, reconciliation and education ondemocracy.He also said that the foundation would promote all theideals, values and principles of Dr. Alex Ekwueme.
Ambassador Matthew Mbu was elected Chairman of theAlex Ekwueme Board of Trustees.
Friends and well-wishers of the former Vice President, including Ambassador Ralph Uwaechue, Chief M.T. Mbuamong others, attended the occasion.
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