Chief Mike Ozekhome, a Federal Government delegate at the ongoing National Conference in Abuja, has proposed that the name Nigeria should be changed to ‘Airegin’.
He made the proposal on Wednesday, arguing that it was imperative to wash Nigeria of the colonial legacy since 'Nigeria' was a colonial imposed name.
Ozekhome stated that colonial attributes should be changed to reflect originality. He then suggested that the old National anthem, written by Mr Taiwo Akinwumi, and the old flag, which was designed with the rising sun on it should be reintroduced, as it is peculiar with all parts of the country.
“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,” he said.
The Edo State-born legal luminary added that the country was known formally as the Northern and Southern Protectorates before being changed to Nigeria, meaning Niger Area or areas within the River Niger by Lady Flora Shaw.
He said: “The country was known formally as the Southern and Northern Protectorates before it was changed. It was changed because they said it was too long for them to pronounce.
”He suggested that the name should be changed from Nigeria to ‘Airegin’ to make a clean break from the past. ‘Airegin’ was just gotten when you write the name Nigeria from ‘right to left.’