By Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has called on the National Assembly to expedite the passage of legislation required to formalize the renaming of the University of Abuja after former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Tukur A. Muhammad-Baba, the ACF expressed delight at the Federal Government’s decision to honor General Gowon by renaming the institution after him.

According to the statement, “It is with much delight that the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) received news of the decision of the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) to rename the University of Abuja after General Yakubu Gowon, PhD, GCFR, Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from 1967 to 1975.”

The ACF praised General Gowon as “a nationalist par excellence, 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.’ His dreams for a united Nigeria remain very much a work-in-progress.”

The statement further noted that the honor coincides with General Gowon’s 90th birthday and described it as a “befitting recognition and a Christmas gift from the Federal Government to the amiable and charismatic General.”

The ACF lauded the Federal Government for bestowing the honor while General Gowon is alive to witness it. It urged the National Assembly to swiftly pass the necessary legislation to formalize the renaming.

The Forum extended its congratulations to General Gowon, his family, friends, the University of Abuja community, and all Nigerians, describing the gesture as a symbol of national unity and pride.