Confab: Ozekhome Calls For Change Of Nigeria’s Name To ‘Airegin’, Reversal To Former National Anthem

A federal government delegate to the ongoing National
Conference, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, on Wednesday
called for change of the present name of Nigeria to a
proposed one he called "Airegin" because the present
name Nigeria was twisted by the colonialists.
He added that
the name change would give the country a clean break
from the past.

Ozekhome, who spoke while contributing at plenary to
the debate on report of the Committee on Political
Restructuring and Forms of Government with Gen. Ike
Nwachukwu and Mohammed Umara Kumalia as co-
Chairmen, also called for a reversal from the present
National Anthem to the former and older one which was
written by Taiwo Akinwumi, adding that the old flag that
was designed with the rising sun on it should also be re-
introduced against the backdrop that it was peculiar with
all parts of the country.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria, who noted that when the
country replaces all these, it would help wash-off the
image of colonial legacy, added that "It (Nigeria) was a
colonial imposed name which should be changed to
reflect originality.

"I want to move that this conference should consider
changing the name of the country to reflect our
originality. The name Nigeria was a colonial imposition
which must be corrected. The name was given to the
country by Lady Flora Shaw who later became Lady
Lugard".

According to Ozekhome, prior to the change of name,
Nigeria as a country was then known as the Northern
and Southern Protectorates meaning Niger Area or areas
within the River Niger by Lady Flora Shaw, adding, "The
country was known formally as the Southern and
Northern Protectorates before the name change. It was
changed because they said it was too long for them to
pronounce.

"I suggested that the name should be changed from
Nigeria to Airegin. It was just gotten when you write the
name Nigeria from right to left", he said.
On the additional states approved for creation in the
South East geo-political zone, while disagreeing with a
fellow Federal Government delegate and Environmental
activist, Ledum Mitee, who opposed the states' creation,
Ozekhome said that he supported the move as it will
integrate the zone into the system.

He also gave his support to the Committee's
recommendation for states to serve as federating units,
stressing that there is need for states to have their own
constitution to reflect their peculiarities.