CIVIL society groups and human rights activists yesterday marked the 13th anniversary of the death of the acclaimed winner of the June12, 1993 presidential election, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola, in his residence in Lagos.
Speaking at the event, Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, who also laid the wreathe at Abiola’s graveside, called on the Federal Government to immortalise Abiola by naming the National Stadium, Abuja, after him.
According to him, Abiola contributed immensely to sports both in Nigeria and Africa and was subsequently named the Pillar of Sports in Africa. He stated that the National Assembly had earlier approved that the stadium be named after him, but regretted that it was not carried out by a former President.
“I send this message to President Goodluck Jonathan to name the National Stadium in his honour in order to remove the stigma of June 12 from Nigeria”, he said.
Soyinka spoke just as the Oyo State House of Assembly also yesterday passed a motion to erect the statue of the former Premier of the defunct Western Region, the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, at the front of the Agodi Government House. It was demolished by hoodlums shortly after former Governor Rashidi Ladoja assumed office.
The lawmakers, at their sitting presided over by the Speaker, Mrs. Monsurat Sunmonu, roundly condemned the destruction and replacement of the statue with that of an unknown soldier and called on the state government to move the statue of the unknown soldier to Idi Molly, in Dugbe area of the city and replace it with that of the late sage.
At the sitting of the House yesterday, the Speaker and her deputy, Mr. Babatunde Olaniyan, moved the motion, saying: “Awolowo was one of the founding nationalists whose contribution to development of the zone could not be forgotten in a hurry.”
In Lagos, Soyinka said Abiola’s portrait should also be placed at the national gallery of Nigeria’s past presidents because he got the people’s mandate that was devoid of ethnicity, religious or sectional coloration.
“The portrait of Abiola should be among the past presidents. It is a value for Nigerians that our collective decision is recognised. He won the Nigerian mandate. It was Nigerians’ choice because he defeated his opponent even in his village. If the portrait of Shonekan whose appointment was challenged in court is in the gallery of past presidents, why not that of Abiola who held the peoples mandate?” he queried.
Earlier, the Director, Campaign for Democracy and Women Arise, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, said as the 13th anniversary of the death of Abiola is being marked, they are demanding for the de-annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election because all anti-democratic forces have taken over leadership in the country.
Other speakers included the daughter of the late business mogul, Hafsat Abiola, who is the Director of Kudirat Initiative for Democracy; her younger brother, Abdulmumuni Abiola and sundry others.
Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everydaySpeaking at the event, Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, who also laid the wreathe at Abiola’s graveside, called on the Federal Government to immortalise Abiola by naming the National Stadium, Abuja, after him.
According to him, Abiola contributed immensely to sports both in Nigeria and Africa and was subsequently named the Pillar of Sports in Africa. He stated that the National Assembly had earlier approved that the stadium be named after him, but regretted that it was not carried out by a former President.
“I send this message to President Goodluck Jonathan to name the National Stadium in his honour in order to remove the stigma of June 12 from Nigeria”, he said.
Soyinka spoke just as the Oyo State House of Assembly also yesterday passed a motion to erect the statue of the former Premier of the defunct Western Region, the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, at the front of the Agodi Government House. It was demolished by hoodlums shortly after former Governor Rashidi Ladoja assumed office.
The lawmakers, at their sitting presided over by the Speaker, Mrs. Monsurat Sunmonu, roundly condemned the destruction and replacement of the statue with that of an unknown soldier and called on the state government to move the statue of the unknown soldier to Idi Molly, in Dugbe area of the city and replace it with that of the late sage.
At the sitting of the House yesterday, the Speaker and her deputy, Mr. Babatunde Olaniyan, moved the motion, saying: “Awolowo was one of the founding nationalists whose contribution to development of the zone could not be forgotten in a hurry.”
In Lagos, Soyinka said Abiola’s portrait should also be placed at the national gallery of Nigeria’s past presidents because he got the people’s mandate that was devoid of ethnicity, religious or sectional coloration.
“The portrait of Abiola should be among the past presidents. It is a value for Nigerians that our collective decision is recognised. He won the Nigerian mandate. It was Nigerians’ choice because he defeated his opponent even in his village. If the portrait of Shonekan whose appointment was challenged in court is in the gallery of past presidents, why not that of Abiola who held the peoples mandate?” he queried.
Earlier, the Director, Campaign for Democracy and Women Arise, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, said as the 13th anniversary of the death of Abiola is being marked, they are demanding for the de-annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election because all anti-democratic forces have taken over leadership in the country.
Other speakers included the daughter of the late business mogul, Hafsat Abiola, who is the Director of Kudirat Initiative for Democracy; her younger brother, Abdulmumuni Abiola and sundry others.
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