THE GOVERNOR OF NIGER EXPLAINS WHY MINNA AIRPORT BEARS TINUBU’S NAME.

Babatunji Wusu –

Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago gave an explanation for his decision to rename the Abubakar Imam International Airport in honor of President Bola Tinubu.
Nigerian author Imam was a trailblazer in the development of contemporary Hausa writing; he passed away in 1981.

Tuesday, March 11, 2024, saw the release of a statement by Governor Bagos’ Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim.

The governor was quoted as saying that the goal of having a square peg in a square hole was what prompted the airport’s rebranding.
The governor thinks it would be more fitting to rename the state polytechnic in Zungeru after the late writer rather than designating an airport after a famous author.

“Naming the Polytechnic after Imam was simply to put a square peg in a square hole,” he said.

He explained that the naming of the international airport after Tinubu was in recognition of his contribution to the establishment of the facility.

Bago said, “It is in appreciation of the President, for approving the State to establish the first special Airport Agro-Processing Free Zone in Nigeria and his immense contributions to nation-building.

“The State Government under my leadership has been enjoying tremendous support from the Tinubu-led government and the President is an astute politician and a great leader that should be celebrated”.

He added that the renaming of the airport was done after consultations with relevant stakeholders including the State Executive Council members as well as the approval of the President.