17 Years After: Family And Friends Celebrate Abiola
It was a sorrowful mood on Tuesday June 7, as family,
friends and human rights activists gathered at the Toyin Street home of
late presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party ,Chief
Moshood Kashimawo Abiola, who died in detention in 1998.
The event which marked the 17th year memorial anniversary of the late chief, was largely impressive as prominent rights activists like Dr. Joe Okei Odumakin, the president of Women Arise for change and Campaign for Democracy and MKO’s children were in attendance.
Odumakin who lead others in solidarity songs wore T-shirts with the inscription “#MKO lives” “#17 years after MKO lives on” urged the government to immortalize MKO Abiola by giving him a posthumous presidential recognition.
She said “Seventeen years after MKO Abiola died in mysterious circumstance,we are yet to see any meaningful development in our country.
“His victory is unprecedented and that election (1993) was the fairest in the history of our country. MKO was dogged. He challenged the tiny cabal and will not bow to threat whenthey denied him his mandate. It was his doggedness to challenge this cabal that led to his killing.
“Sadly,after seventeen years, the vision of MKO to eradicate poverty, to make Nigerians proud to be called citizens have eluded the country.
“Also, June 12 should be declared as Nigeria’s Democracy Day and not May 29th to immortalize Chief Abiola, as he paid the ultimate price for the struggle to emancipate the down trodden”.
Chief Abiola’s children Hafsat Abiola Costello,and Abdulmumuni Abiola also spoke at the event.
Hafsat expressed sadness over the poor state of Nigerians despite the sacrifices her father and other leaders paid to emancipate the poor and improve the lives of Nigerians.
She said “If my father had known that his struggle would not yield the vision he had for Nigerians would he have sacrificed?
“My father knew what he was getting into. Even though we tried to discourage him, he said he believed in Nigeria. He paid the ultimate price by giving his life for the struggle.
“It is sad that more of our children are crossing the Mediterranean in search for greener pastures. It is sad that Nigeria has one of the highest number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) in the world. It is sad that the Chibok girls are still missing
“Moreso, Nigerians are losing their lives to Boko Haram attacks and all what the present government is interested in is sharing positions amongst themselves. Nigerians are looking for leaders and the elected officials should give hope to the people”.
Other dignitaries present at the occasion include Bar. Femi Aborishade a social crusader,Dame Priscillia Kuye former NBA president, Mr. Ayo Badmus a Nollywood actor, Admiral Ndubusi Kanu, NADECO chairman, Mr. Ayo Adewale the former chairman of Amuwo Odofin local government council and Mrs. Iyabo Obasa who represented the Lagos State governor, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode.
The all urge leaders to emulate Chief Abiola, by putting the people first and eradicate poverty.
Mr. Amachree of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), extolled the virtues of Abiola saying that he took the welfare of his workers seriously.
He said “Abiola was a wealthy man. He made his workers rich and ensured their welfare was paramount unlike what we have these days where workers are being owned months of salaries and their welfare not catered for”.
On his path, the NADECO Chairman, Admiral Kanu said “MKO upheld the spirit of Nigeria. He was committed to the upliftment of the country as a federal unit, where the rights of all Nigerians will be upheld”.
The event ended with the laying of wreath at Chief Abiola’s tomb.
The event was also used to condemn the rising terrorist attacks in the country as the inscriptions like “Let’s bond not Bomb”, were displayed on placards.
Late Chief MKO Abiola
The event which marked the 17th year memorial anniversary of the late chief, was largely impressive as prominent rights activists like Dr. Joe Okei Odumakin, the president of Women Arise for change and Campaign for Democracy and MKO’s children were in attendance.
Odumakin who lead others in solidarity songs wore T-shirts with the inscription “#MKO lives” “#17 years after MKO lives on” urged the government to immortalize MKO Abiola by giving him a posthumous presidential recognition.
She said “Seventeen years after MKO Abiola died in mysterious circumstance,we are yet to see any meaningful development in our country.
“His victory is unprecedented and that election (1993) was the fairest in the history of our country. MKO was dogged. He challenged the tiny cabal and will not bow to threat whenthey denied him his mandate. It was his doggedness to challenge this cabal that led to his killing.
“Sadly,after seventeen years, the vision of MKO to eradicate poverty, to make Nigerians proud to be called citizens have eluded the country.
“Also, June 12 should be declared as Nigeria’s Democracy Day and not May 29th to immortalize Chief Abiola, as he paid the ultimate price for the struggle to emancipate the down trodden”.
Chief Abiola’s children Hafsat Abiola Costello,and Abdulmumuni Abiola also spoke at the event.
Hafsat expressed sadness over the poor state of Nigerians despite the sacrifices her father and other leaders paid to emancipate the poor and improve the lives of Nigerians.
She said “If my father had known that his struggle would not yield the vision he had for Nigerians would he have sacrificed?
“My father knew what he was getting into. Even though we tried to discourage him, he said he believed in Nigeria. He paid the ultimate price by giving his life for the struggle.
“It is sad that more of our children are crossing the Mediterranean in search for greener pastures. It is sad that Nigeria has one of the highest number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) in the world. It is sad that the Chibok girls are still missing
“Moreso, Nigerians are losing their lives to Boko Haram attacks and all what the present government is interested in is sharing positions amongst themselves. Nigerians are looking for leaders and the elected officials should give hope to the people”.
Other dignitaries present at the occasion include Bar. Femi Aborishade a social crusader,Dame Priscillia Kuye former NBA president, Mr. Ayo Badmus a Nollywood actor, Admiral Ndubusi Kanu, NADECO chairman, Mr. Ayo Adewale the former chairman of Amuwo Odofin local government council and Mrs. Iyabo Obasa who represented the Lagos State governor, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode.
The all urge leaders to emulate Chief Abiola, by putting the people first and eradicate poverty.
Mr. Amachree of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), extolled the virtues of Abiola saying that he took the welfare of his workers seriously.
He said “Abiola was a wealthy man. He made his workers rich and ensured their welfare was paramount unlike what we have these days where workers are being owned months of salaries and their welfare not catered for”.
On his path, the NADECO Chairman, Admiral Kanu said “MKO upheld the spirit of Nigeria. He was committed to the upliftment of the country as a federal unit, where the rights of all Nigerians will be upheld”.
The event ended with the laying of wreath at Chief Abiola’s tomb.
The event was also used to condemn the rising terrorist attacks in the country as the inscriptions like “Let’s bond not Bomb”, were displayed on placards.
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