THIRTEEN
years after his death, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola,
received a federal government honour, yesterday, with the naming of the
former University of Lagos, Akoka after him.
President Goodluck Jonathan, in his 2012 Democracy Day national
broadcast, noted the matyrdom and landmark contribution to Nigeria’s
democratic evolvement by M.K.O. Abiola who died on July 7, 1998, while
in detention following his quest to actualise his generally acknowledged
victory in the 1993 presidential poll, in which he vied as the
candidate of the defunct Social democratic Party (SDP) and defeated
Alhaji Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention (NRC).
The June 12, 1993 poll which he won but was dennied ascendance to
Nigerian presidency was acclaimed the most credible in the country’s
history. But the declaration of its result was stopped by the then
military President, Gen. Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (rtd).
Following his death in government custody, calls by civil society
groups including pro-democracy activists on the federal government to
give him befitting honour by naming a beffitting monument after him have
been rebuffed by successive military and civilian governments.
But, President Jonathan in the broadcast which also marked his one
year in office, deemed it high time Abiola’s phenomenal contributions to
the return of democratic government in Nigeria is recognised.
Consequently, he renamed the University of Lagos, Moshood Abiola University.
Additionally, an institution to boost learning on good governance,
named Institute of Democratic Studies will be domiciled in the
university.
“The Federal Government has decided that late Chief M.K.O. Abiola be
honoured, for making the ultimate sacrifice in the pursuit of justice
and truth. Destiny and circumstances conspired to place upon his
shoulders a historic burden, and he rose to the occasion with character
and courage.
“He deserves recognition for his martyrdom, and public-spirited and
for being the man of history that he was. We need in our land, more men
and women who will stand up to defend their beliefs, and whose example
will further enrich our democracy.
“After very careful consideration, and in honour of Chief M.K.O.
Abiola’s accomplishments and heroism, on this Democracy Day, the
University of Lagos, is renamed by the Federal Government of Nigeria,
Moshood Abiola University, Lagos. The Federal Government will also
establish an Institute of Democratic Studies and Governance in the
university,” he announced.
Dr Jonathan who was emphatic on Nigeria remaining together despite
all it’s current challenges also noted the need for Nigerians to do more
as a people to boost social harmony and general development of the
country by “looking at where we started” to appraise how far the nation
has progressed and equally take positive steps to heal the wounds of the
past. He was emphatic that “Nigeria will not break up.”
— Compass Nigeria
