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Street names, bus stops, monuments and public landmarks are more than mere signposts. They are instruments of collective memory.
They tell societies who to celebrate, what values to uphold, and which stories future generations should remember. In this regard, Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, may have offered a master class on how public spaces should be named.
Recently, Governor Alex Otti took a step that many believe reflects the true purpose of public memorialisation. The newly commissioned Umuahia Central Bus Terminal was named after Professor Nnenna Nnannaya-Oti, the INEC Returning Officer who supervised the 2023 Abia governorship election. At a time when electoral manipulation and political pressure have become recurring concerns in Nigeria, Professor Nnenna Oti became a symbol of institutional courage by standing firmly by the results despite reported pressure and controversy, she stood firm against bribery, intimidation and electoral manipulation during the election period. . By immortalising her name, the Abia government sent a message that honesty, integrity and patriotism are virtues worthy of public recognition.
This is precisely how societies build positive role models.
Across the world, streets, squares and public landmarks are often named after individuals whose actions contributed to the advancement of society. These names become educational tools. A child who asks, "Who was this person?" opens the door to a lesson in history, sacrifice and civic responsibility.
Contrast this with the controversy surrounding the renaming of the famous Charley Boy Bus Stop in Lagos. For decades, the location had become part of public consciousness, associated with the activist and entertainer Charly Boy. The decision to remove the popular name and replace it with a Yoruba designation was viewed by many as unnecessary and reflective of ethnic considerations rather than historical significance.
While every community has the right to preserve indigenous culture and language, public naming exercises should avoid creating the impression of tribal triumphalism. Nigeria's diversity is one of its greatest strengths. Public spaces should unite citizens around shared values, not deepen ethnic divisions.
The larger question is simple: What kind of people should we immortalize?
Should society honour individuals known for integrity, courage and service, or should names be changed merely to satisfy political or ethnic sentiments?
History provides useful guidance. Consider Marcus Garvey. Although he was Jamaican, his influence on Pan-African consciousness was so profound that streets, schools and public institutions across Africa and the African diaspora have been named after him.
Generations who encounter "Marcus Garvey Road" or "Marcus Garvey Street" inevitably ask questions about the man behind the name. In answering those questions, societies retell the story of a visionary who championed Black pride, self-determination and African unity.
That is the true purpose of commemorative naming.
The same principle explains why many nations honour freedom fighters, reformers, scientists, judges, teachers and public servants. Their names become moral signposts. They remind citizens that noble conduct deserves recognition.
Nigeria desperately needs more of such examples. At a time when corruption often appears rewarded and public trust in institutions remains fragile, celebrating citizens who demonstrate honesty and patriotism can have a transformative effect.
Naming a bus stop after an electoral official who resisted corruption may seem like a small gesture, but symbols matter. They help define the values a society wishes to promote.
Governor Otti's approach offers a useful lesson. Public landmarks should not merely reflect geography or political convenience; they should preserve history, celebrate integrity and inspire future generations.
When a child asks why a bus stop bears the name of an honest electoral officer, the answer becomes a lesson in character. When a young Nigerian asks who Marcus Garvey was, the answer becomes a lesson in courage and leadership.
That is how nations use public spaces to shape culture. Not by erasing names for ethnic or political reasons, but by ensuring that every signpost tells a story worth remembering.
