The Ogun State Government on Saturday shunned threat by suspected hoodlums in causing panic towards celebration of June 12 Democracy Day, as the authorities went ahead to keep date with the celebration.
Penpushing reports that, the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun led other top government functionaries, as well as traditional rulers, professional bodies and various unions and clubs to the event held at Moshood Abiola International Stadium, Abeokuta.
The ceremony also include match past by the various unions and professional bodies, as well as artisans, with cultural display, and goodwill messages delivered by selected heads of the groups in attendance.
Penpushing further reports that, Governor Abiodun in his speech, said the late Moshood Abiola who was being remembered for sacrificing his life for democracy worth being celebrated
‘Today, we gather to celebrate a man who, even in death, continues to live with us. June 12 is not just a date. It is about a man whose ideals, life and principles remain the face of our democracy. Today, once again, we remember late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola,GCFR’,Abiodun said, GCFR’
.The Governor pointed out that, looking at the life and times of Abiola, his rise to prominence from a common background, one finds a connection between June 12 and the desire, the struggle of man against life challenges and survival.
‘His life symbolises hope. Little wonder, his election campaign was anchored on HOPE. He called it HOPE 93. His campaign train went all over the country preaching hope for a greater Nigeria’.
‘It is that same hope for a greater Nigeria that made the people of Nigeria defy all odds and national fault lines. On that fateful day of June 12, 1993, Nigerians, irrespective of ethnicity, religious or socio-economic class rose and spoke with one voice’.
‘The circumstances of birth vanished and all the forces against our oneness took a flight. All that mattered was that Nigerians desired a better Nigeria and one man gave them hope’’.
‘That election did not produce a living president. But, today, it remains a threshold, a watershed in our democratic history. The memories of that election continue to live with us’
Penpushing reports that, Abiodun noted need not forget to pay tributes to the heroes of the struggle for the actualization of June 12 after the annulment of that election, adding that many suffered degrees of deprivation, incarceration and some even paid the supreme price.
‘MKO Abiola and his mandate should serve as a reminder to all of us that we are stronger together as a Nation. He broke all barriers such as religion and ethnicity that are being used in Nigeria today to divide us’.
‘He won across the length and breadth of this country, even at the backyard of his main opponents. It was a phenomenon that should remind us that we are greater than our challenges’
Penpushing further reports that, in early part of the morning, residents were indoors, as well as shops closed and business activities suspended, following fear that, hoodlums may hijack the celebration and strike to cause havoc in the state and environs
FOOTNOTE: You want to share story with us? You want to advertise with us? You need publicity/live coverage for product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348073463653 or email penpushing@yahoo.com
