The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has welcomed the decision of the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) to rename the University of Abuja after General Yakubu Gowon, former Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
This was stated in a release issued by the National Publicity Secretary of the forum, Prof. Tukur Muhammad Baba, and made available to newsmen in Kaduna on Tuesday.
The statement noted, “The ACF is pleased with the honor being bestowed on the ACF’s Grand Patron. More than this, ACF acknowledges that General Dr. Gowon is a nationalist of extraordinary caliber, an icon of Nigeria’s struggles for national unity, a man of great humility, a symbol of military professionalism, and a revered hero who gave his all to keep Nigeria one. Even as his (and our) particular dreams remain very much a work in progress.”
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ACF is further elated that this fitting and worthy honor comes on the heels of General Dr. Gowon’s 90th birthday anniversary. The gesture is also, in a sense, a Christmas gift from the FGN to the amiable and charismatic General!
That the FGN is honoring such a deserving national hero while he is still alive to savor the recognition is also highly commendable.
ACF calls on the National Assembly to expedite the passage of the necessary legislation to concretize the renaming.
Finally, ACF congratulates General Dr. Gowon, his family, and friends on the honor. The forum also extends its congratulations to the University of Abuja community and to Nigeria at large.
