Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon; former President Shehu Shagari; former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar and President Goodluck Jonathan at the Nigeria Centenary flag-off ceremony in Abuja, Monday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida. As activities for the celebration of
Nigeria’s centenary commences in the
country, the Nnadi Azikiwe Day Initiative,
a social cultural groups has urged
President Goodluck Jonathan to change
the country’s name from Nigeria to People’s Republic of Africa (PRA). In a statement signed by its Coordinator
Chief Udoka Udeogaranya made available
to journalists, the group said it was not
proper for the country continue to
maintain a national name given to it by
the colonial masters. According to the group,” We thought it
wise that our dear nation should have a
change of name from what the colonial
masters called us to a new name that we
shall call ourselves. “A new name usually struck a new
beginning and a lay off from negative
antecedents, of which our nation must
get rid-off. We are also aware about the
financial cost and arguments against the
change of name, but it does not out- weigh the need to give a new hope to a
nation in search of a new life that they
can be proud of. “We therefore, task Jonathan to summon
a meeting of the Speaker of the House of
Representatives, Senate President,
Governors of the Federation to consider a
change of name for the Federation of
which shall take effect from midnight 1st October, 2014.” The group counseled that the centenary
project should not be clouded with calls
for national conference, saying it should
be dealt with as a national item for
discussion. Udeogaranya said though the country has
encountered severe storms, its destiny
has brought the nation to its present
crossroads. “Thus we hold a strong view that our
nation must take a stock of all that we
have been through in the last 99 years
and readjust where necessary and
encourage where encouragement is
required in sustaining a greater nation,”
NOW NAIRALANDERS WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE NAME NIGERIA?

Hmmm the name sweet o e make sense

good name but Nigeria is NOT a republic

A republic is a form of government in which the country is considered a "public matter", not the private concern or property of the rulers, and where offices of state are subsequently directly or indirectly elected or appointed rather than inherited.

Now nigeria this is not like this

I suggest Mega-mugu...wherein the people are refered to as Mega-mugurians.

....and how many billions of naira will it cost to change the name? nothing is free in Nigeria you know!

...how does a change in name change the character, the antagonism, the friction, the crime, corruptiin, poverty, unemployment....and most of all, the fact we are naturally different and are best off separated?

I love this name! more like people's republic of china and this in one way or the other gonna increase the beaf ghanians and co have been cooking for us.

.

Wrong name at a wrong time. It should be currupt republic of africa.[i][/i]

The name's cool, but how will it change the rotten in our society•

zameen: The name's cool, but how will it change the rotten in our society•

Misplaced priorities

The name change sounds nice...I support it! The name change should come alongside change in constitution, government system, national identity and national awareness...

hassymo5:
NOW NAIRALANDERS WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE NAME NIGERIA?

The name NIGERIA is a relic from the slave trade era and colonial times. Do you know that NIGERIA means NIGGER AREA? NIGER being the french form of NIGGER. Nigger is the word used to describe the slaves transported from areas around West Africa over 250 years ago.

Which one be dis again So if I want to fill jamb or any form na dis long tinx I go dey write? Shey na like dis we go dey dey? Can someone put us in gear cos we dey neutral position in dis kon3.

K

lol

It's an inappropriate name. What the hell does Peoples Republic of Africa mean?

Give us a name founded on African history and identity, not this generic-sounding name that could have come out of a random computer printout.

Why not Kush? Or Nubia? Or Songhai? These are powerful African empires of antiquity.