Federal University of….What’s in a name?

Even though Shakespeare proclaimed that “a rose by any other name smells just the same” there is a sense in which names matter. It is in that respect that the federal government is enjoined to re-name those universities that were established by president Goodluck Jonathan in 2011. At present they are all identified by their […]

Even though Shakespeare proclaimed that “a rose by any other name smells just the same” there is a sense in which names matter. It is in that respect that the federal government is enjoined to re-name those universities that were established by president Goodluck Jonathan in 2011. At present they are all identified by their locations, e.g. Federal University, Dutse, Otuoke, Wukari and so on. Nothing inspiring in this at all. Nigerians who have distinguished themselves both in the remote past and in our more recent history should be honoured by having these universities named after them. It is therefore proposed as follows:
Federal University, Birnin Kebbi – Abdullahi Fodio University.
Federal University, Dutsin-Ma – Umarun Dallaje University.
Federal University, Dutse – Murtala Muhammed University.
Federal University, Damaturu – Mai Idris Alooma University.
Federal University, Kashere – Buba Yero University.
Federal University, Lafiya – Magaji Dan-Yamusa University.
Federa University, Lokoja – Yakubu Gowon University.
Federal University, Otuoke – Isaac Boro University.
Federal University, Gusau – Ali Akilu University.
Federal University, Oye -Ekiti – Moshood Abiola University.
Federal University, Ndufu-Alike – Eyo Ita University.
The above proposal will arouse considerable emotions and debate as to whether they are the most suited. What however is not in doubt is the personalities recmmended for this honour have achieved renown in their localities and nationally. The important idea is to give these institutions names that infuse them with character and distinguish them from all others.
M T Usman wrote from Kaduna