Uproar as Niger gov renames airport after Tinubu
Melvin Onwubuke
Debates are raging in Nigeria over the naming of an international airport after the country’s President Bola Tinubu. The Minna Airport in the central state of Niger has been renamed Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport by the state Governor Umaru Bago after a decade of ‘remodeling’ work on the facility.
The state’s spokesperson Hajia Binta Mammam said the Minna International Airport was renamed in recognition of the president’s development of the state.
However, some Nigerians are complaining about the move and questioning whether it is economically relevant.
@veraciousreport commenting on instagram said “It would have made more, sense if it was renamed after an illustrious Nigerian or Even Bola Ahmed Tinubu after his tenure since once a president always a president like JFK airport in New York but while he is still in power unnecessary.”
However, another person who wants to be identified as @mohammedumarubago said “well Done Mr Governor, we the Niger lite and the entire Nigeria are proud of you. The best among the Governor’s so far, the Governor of the Year!! Thank you for Remodeling the abandoned Airport for 11 years, we wish you longer life in Good health and wealth, Allah’s blessings and Guidance to achieve your Goals and making Niger State the Pilot state for food production for the entire country and the state.”
On Monday, President Tinubu is scheduled to officially open the reconstructed airport in Minna State capital and unveil the agricultural processing zone.
The airport was formerly called Abubakar Imam International Airport, which was named after a Nigeria writer and journalist who had pioneered the First Hausa newspaper in Northern Nigeria.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority announced last year that 15 federal airports would be renamed after prominent Nigerians, including former presidents.
