Nigeria is on track to drop its colonial name; as the Nigerian House of Representatives’ Special Committee on Constitution Review; has received a proposal to change Nigeria’s name to the United African Republic.
The proposal was submitted by a tax Consultant Adeleye Jokotoye to the committee; at the South West Zonal Public Hearing in Lagos on Wednesday, June 2, 2021.
While presenting the proposal, Adeleye said that Nigeria’s current name was an imposition; of its past colonial masters and should be changed. PulseNG reports.
United African Republic
For Adeleye, a change of name for the country would physically and psychologically reflect a new beginning.
“At this crossroads in our history, it is mandatory that we change our name to reflect a new beginning which will be ushered in with a new constitution,” he said.
Expantiating on why he chose the name United African Republic; Jokotoye said Nigeria is made up of hundreds of ethnic groups that need to be united.
As an alternative, he suggested that Nigeria could also choose United Alkebulan Republic; which means United Mother of Mankind Republic) as its new name.
The tax consultant also suggested amendments to the constitution to reflect fiscal federalism, state or regional resource and taxation control; removal of immunity clause, and review of the Exclusive Legislative List.
We are quite excited about this proposal to change Nigeria’s name; it’s one step in the direction of dropping the colonial tag and moving forward.
This development comes a day after Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA); has called for the scrapping of the name, ‘Nigeria’.
According to the group, the name ‘Nigeria’ has no root in the country; since it was given by a white lady, who coined the term.
History books taught that a British journalist and writer, Flora Louise Shaw; popularly known as Lady Lugard, coined the name “Nigeria” in 1897.
Read the proposal below:
First and foremost, I want to recommend a name change from Nigeria to the United Africans Republic (UAR).
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 name change is to physically and psychologically reflect a new beginning.
Thus, at this crossroads in our 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).
- 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).
The new constitution should also give room for continuous review as and when due, and future referendum if required also want to suggest the following.
The constitution should provide for a council for each of these offices where six members from each geo-political zone will be represented to take collective unanimous decisions for the office, instead of one man holding all the powers of the office.
These council members will attain the position by seniority and numbers of years in service, and they will each need a department in the service as well as being council members.