Omuramba gets new name

Omuramba Weg in Eros was renamed General Murtala Muhammed Avenue on Friday.

The general was Nigeria’s Head of State from 29 July 1975 to 13 February 1976, when he was killed in a military coup. During his short term as the country’s president, Muhammed outlined various political programmes to bring the nation to civilian rule, announced the move of the federal capital from Lagos to Abuja, and supported a number of liberation movements across the continent, including Namibia’s own liberation struggle.Welcoming the dignitaries and guests to the event, Councillor Hangapo Veico stated that “Namibians or Africans, black or white, will not be truly liberated or free if the face of our cities and towns do not reflect the mixed cultures of our people.”Ambassador Prince Adegboyega Christopher Ariyo – High Commisioner of Nigeria to Namibia referred to the naming as a “commemoration of General Muhammed’s legacy in view of his enviable achievements and significant contribution to the liberation struggles in southern Africa.”Sophia Shaningwa, Governor of the Khomas Region, said at the renaming ceremony that “throughout our struggle for liberation, we learnt and cherished the importance of solidarity, that no struggle could be waged effectively in isolation.In building a new society, the same holds true.Therefore, when the names of these African heroes appear on the faces of our cities and towns, we should be mindful that they are not just ‘foreigners’ but part of our rich history.”The unveiling of the street sign was also attended by the wife of the late General Murtala Muhammed and her son, Risqua Murtala Muhammed.During his short term as the country’s president, Muhammed outlined various political programmes to bring the nation to civilian rule, announced the move of the federal capital from Lagos to Abuja, and supported a number of liberation movements across the continent, including Namibia’s own liberation struggle.Welcoming the dignitaries and guests to the event, Councillor Hangapo Veico stated that “Namibians or Africans, black or white, will not be truly liberated or free if the face of our cities and towns do not reflect the mixed cultures of our people.”Ambassador Prince Adegboyega Christopher Ariyo – High Commisioner of Nigeria to Namibia referred to the naming as a “commemoration of General Muhammed’s legacy in view of his enviable achievements and significant contribution to the liberation struggles in southern Africa.”Sophia Shaningwa, Governor of the Khomas Region, said at the renaming ceremony that “throughout our struggle for liberation, we learnt and cherished the importance of solidarity, that no struggle could be waged effectively in isolation.In building a new society, the same holds true.Therefore, when the names of these African heroes appear on the faces of our cities and towns, we should be mindful that they are not just ‘foreigners’ but part of our rich history.”The unveiling of the street sign was also attended by the wife of the late General Murtala Muhammed and her son, Risqua Murtala Muhammed.