…tips Olumuyiwa Aliu for National Award.
Renowned constitutional lawyer and rig
hts activist, Dr Kayode Ajulo, OON has commended the decision of the Federal Government to rename some of the federal airports after patriotic personalities who have contributed to the growth of the country through meritorious services.
Ajulo said the decision of President Tinubu to sustain the exercise established by former President Buhari has honoured the memories of Awolowo, other deceased and living Nigerians who stood for egalitarianism, nationalism and equity.
“The President has demonstrated that he is following in the good and lofty steps of his predecessors and notable Yoruba leaders. Despite the differences between Chief Awolowo and his successor, Chief Ladoke Akintola, the latter completed the projects initiated by his predecessor among which were the Cocoa House in Ibadan and OAU in Ife.”
Ajulo made this statement while reacting to the development, particularly the renaming of Port-Harcourt and Akure Federal Airports after the late first Premier of the old Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and past President of the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Dr Olumuyiwa Bernard Aliu, respectively.
Ajulo said renaming the Port-Harcourt airport after Awolowo is significant to history, that the government made the matching choice of federal airport to rename after the indisputable leader of Yoruba, late Premier of Western Region and the best President Nigeria never had.
“Besides that, this will build a more cohesive relationship between the tribes of Nigeria as witnessed in the naming of Abuja International Airport, in the North, after the first President of Nigeria and an Igbo man, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, and Lagos International Airport in the South after a former Head of State and Fulani man, Murtala Muhammed, the location is also a reminder of significant history. It was at the same Port-Harcourt Chief Awolowo, during one of his campaigns, called for equal rights and opportunities for minority groups in Nigeria and foretold that someone from the group would lead the country as President one day.” Ajulo said.
In the same vein, Ajulo also described renaming Akure Airport after the Ondo State-born expert in Aeronautical Engineering and Aviation Law, Dr Aliu as “a reward for estimable and immeasurable contributions of an individual to the growth of aviation industry in Nigeria, Africa and the world.”
The lawyer, who recently conferred with one of the highest National Honots, Officer of the Order of the Niger, OON also described Dr Bernard Olumuyiwa Aliu, the fifth and past President of the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) as a worthy ambassador of Nigeria also urge the Federal Government to consider him for a National Honour in the category of GCON.
“I think Dr Bernard Aliu deserves even more. Not because he is my kinsman but for his contributions to the Nigerian Brand in the International platform which have been tremendously outstanding. He has served in capacities on par with the likes of Dr Okonjo-Iwela, H. E. Prof. Tijjani Muhammad-Bande and H. E. Amina J. Muhammad . Not only has he served well, but he is also acknowledged for his leadership in aviation management and significant contributions to air transport development in Africa and the world. He also represented and lifted Nigeria to enviable heights in these capacities.” The lawyer said.
Ajulo said President Tinubu, with the decision to sustain some laudable programmes of his predecessor, has shown determination to unite the country across all divides and reinforced his belief in continuity and one Nigeria.