The Kaduna State Government has renamed some public buildings and roads in honour of persons that have served the state, Nigeria and humanity at large.

Governor Nasir El-Rufai on Tuesday started the unveiling of new names for some of the public facilities.

The Investment House was renamed in honour of former Vice President Namadi Sambo while the State High Court Complex was named in honour of Justice Muhammadu Lawal Uwais, a former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).

The State Secretariat was renamed in honour of Maccido Dalhat, former SSG.

Kaduna State Public Procurement Authority (KADPPA) was renamed in honour of Architect Barnabas Yusuf Bala, who was Deputy Governor from 2015 to 2019.

The Ministry of Health complex is named after Dorathy Miller, the longest serving Commissioner for Health.

The Kaduna Capital Territory Authority building was renamed in honour of Magajin Gari Sambo.

College Road, Ungwan Dosa, after AVM Usman Muazu, former military governor of Kaduna State.

Sokoto Road, up to Government House, after Sir Kashim Ibrahim, former Governor of the Northern Region.

WAFF Road is now extended to include the former Kashim Ibrahim Road up to the cemetery.

Speaking at the event on Tuesday, El-Rufai said: “The state government has been implementing a street naming project since 2015 as a vital feature of helping to better organise our cities.

“The projects undertaken as part of the Urban Renewal Programme have added to the urgency of achieving further results in this sphere. It is a chance to honour those who have served this state, our country or humanity at large.

“Honouring those who have served is an obligation every set of leaders owes to those who came before. Sometimes, sudden and unexpected events make it impossible to pay deserved tributes to people in their lifetimes. But it is important to seek to honour people and their service when they are still around, but preferably when they are no longer in office.

“This exercise is also an opportunity to respect history and to clarify street names. For instance, the West African Frontier Force is an integral part of the story of Kaduna City. Therefore, the name of the street is extended right to the end of the road to cover the little stretch that was called Kashim Ibrahim Road.

“The service of Sir Kashim Ibrahim is now more appropriately acknowledged with the renaming of the entire stretch of Sokoto Road in his honour.

“Henceforth, the road that leads to Sir Kashim Ibrahim House (Government House) will be known as Sir Kashim Ibrahim Road.

“Today’s event is the first stage. Many more of our distinguished leaders will in the next few days receive letters informing them of the places named after them.”

The Star