When Ogun stood still for MKO Abiola

Posted by admin Headlines, Ogun, State News Wednesday, June 15th, 2011

FOR the two and a half hours that the trek lasted, traffic came to a crawl. The whole of Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital stood still all through the route of participants. After about 10 minutes of trekking by prominent persons led by Governor Ibikunle Amosun and his wife, Funso, the Deputy Governor, Prince Olusegun Adesegun and some human rights activists, it was obvious even to any layman that something was amiss.

It was the trek organized by the Ogun State Government in commemoration of the sacrifice of the late business mogul and acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential elections, Bashorun Moshood Kasimawo Olawale Abiola.

It all started from the Ake Palace Square and as they moved, the crowd thickened, going round major areas of the state capital with some singing solidarity songs. Those who could not trek the distance got into their vehicles and followed behind. But for the Governor, his wife, the Deputy Governor and other human rights activists, it was trekking all the way to the MKO Abiola Stadium, the place named after him by the administration of Governor Olusegun Osoba in 1999.

On arrival, speakers, one after the other, hailed the late politician for his contributions not only in business and politics but also in sports. Governor Ibikunle Amosun said that his administration was looking into the possibilities of including the lives and roles of prominent Ogun indigenes into the school curriculum such that school children in the state would be able to appreciate the contributions of such people.

He said: “Late Chief Abiola fought for what all of us are enjoying today. Generations after us must know what great men like Chief Abiola, Papa Awolowo, Dr. Beko Ransome Kuti, Dr. Tai Solarin and other great men did. They should be celebrated. We are looking into the possibilities of putting the lives of our prominent leaders and their roles into the school curriculum such that our kids will know.”

Governor Amosun who was the last speaker at the rally, which had prominent activists like Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, Dr. Abubakar Momoh and Mallam Tanko Yinusa in attendance, said that his administration would ensure budget discipline such that allocations would be strictly used for its purpose.

“For us, provision of amenities and good life is what we stand for. We will ensure that budget is implemented to the letters. Whatever money is allocated would be judiciously spent for the purpose it was allocated,” he said.

Earlier, Mallam Tanko Yinusa who threw the whole gathering into a tremendous applause after his flawless rendition of a deep Yoruba traditional song, said that Nigeria could only be great if the issue of insecurity was tackled saying, “things can only work when youths have good jobs, security assured and can easily get married across the country. Hypocrisy in the leadership of this country must stop.

That would only be when a South South man can appoint an Hausa man as his Chief Security Officer, an Ibo man can do same and a Yoruba can appoint an Ibo man Chief Security Officer.”

On his part, Dr. Momoh said, “MKO Abiola died for a cause. How many of us want to leave our opulence and comfort for a cause? We should not live for an idea that would die but die for an idea that would live. June 12 should become a movement that will unite people for the Nigerian Project and galvanize the nation forward.”

President of the Campaign for Democracy, Dr. Okei- Odumakin, said that Nigerians had learnt much and that the people of Ogun were not cowards or traitors. She said, “history will be harsh on the conspirators in the annulment of June 12. They will die unsung.”

Chief Segun Odegbami, who also spoke at the rally, lamented that a lot of people did not remember the contributions of late Abiola in Sports , adding that Abiola was “the Pillar of Sports” in Africa. He then urged Governor Amosun to change the name of Gateway Football Club owned by the State Government to Abiola Babes- the name of the club ran by Abiola in the 80s.

Mr. Biodun Sowunmi, Mr. Wale Okuniyi, Ogbeni Lanre Banjo, Mr. Yinka Odumakin and Ras Kimono, who sang a song, all spoke on the contributions of Abiola and urged leaders to ensure that dividends of democracy get to the people.wp_posts