News
June 12: Fayose, Three Govs Declare Today Public Holiday …As Atiku Urges FG To Immortalise Abiola Now
The Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has declared today a public holiday in honour of the winner of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, Late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola.
Fayose joined the governors of Ogun, Ondo and Oyo States, who had earlier declared today a public holiday in commemoration of the 24th anniversary of the day.
In a statement, yesterday, in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, Fayose, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said he took the decision to join his other colleagues in the South-West in the spirit of the unity of the region.
He said, “Yoruba nation’s interest is beyond personal interest of anyone. For us to forge ahead as a people, we must speak with one voice.
“In the light of this, I declare Monday a public holiday to further strengthen our collective belief, hope and aspirations. This, I have done in the spirit of Yoruba nation and South-West integration.”
It would be recalled that the late Bashorun Moshood Abiola won the election.
The election, which has been adjudged the freest and fairest in the history of Nigeria, was nullified by a military dictator, Gen. Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (rtd).
Abiola was later incarcerated by the military junta of the late Gen Sani Abacha.
The day is celebrated in recognition and honour of the martyrdom of Abiola, who died in a mysterious circumstance while in incarceration a few days after the death of Abacha.
In line with the custom of the Ogun State Government for the past six years, Governor Ibikunle Amosun, last Friday, declared today, June 12, 2017, as work free.
The announcement was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Taiwo Adeoluwa.
The statement read, “This year’s celebration will feature the annual ‘Democracy Walk,’ which will be led by the governor, starting from the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta at 7 am.
“The walk is expected to take participants through major roads in the state capital to the Abiola family homestead, at Oke-Ido, Gbagura, Abeokuta North Local Government Area, where special prayers and speeches will be made.
“Later in the day, an inspirational stage play, ‘Oju Kelekun’ (farewell to reproach), directed by Prof. Bakare Ojo Rasaki, will be performed at the June 12 Cultural Centre, between 3:45 pm and 6:00 pm.”
Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, also declared Monday, June 12, work free for its civil servants to mark the 1993 presidential election.
The governor announced this in a statement issued, last Friday by the Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon.
The statement said, “In line with its established policy of observing June 12 of every year as ‘Democracy Day,’ the state government of Osun has declared Monday, June 12, as a public holiday.”
Similarly, the Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, asked its workers not to go to work today, June 12, 2017, to honour the widely acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, late Abiola.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Segun Ajiboye, last Friday, Akeredolu said the late Abiola’s supreme sacrifice culminated in the hurried departure of the military from the political scene in 1999.
As part of programmes lined up to celebrate the day, the state government has organised a lecture, with the theme: “June 12: A Celebration Of Courage And Resilience.”
Akeredolu urged politicians across the country to always demonstrate their unquenchable love for the country.
Meanwhile, former Vice President and chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Atiku Abubakar, has urged the Federal Government to immortalise the acclaimed winner of the June 12 Presidential Election, Chief MKO Abiola, saying the events of that day cannot just be wished away.
“June 12 and the events that brought it are part of our country’s history and cannot be forgotten, especially because of the unity and comradeship displayed by Nigerians on that Election Day in 1993″, Abubakar said.
In a statement issued by his Media Office, yesterday, in Abuja, the Wazirin Adamawa described “late MKO Abiola, the leading personality of the June 12 struggle as a national ‘Hero and Patriot’ deserving of accolades and honour by Nigerians.
He calls on the Federal Government to pay the necessary tribute to the late Abiola of blessed memory by naming a befitting national institution after him”.
According to him, the events of June 12, 1993, are a watershed in the history of the nation, and therefore, it behoves all Nigerians to work hard to ensure that the nation never again repeats that painful experience.
“Atiku Abubakar recalls that June 12 traumatized Nigerians and made some people to question the unity and oneness of the country and whether true democracy can take root in the country.
“The Waziri commends Nigerians for moving beyond the challenges thrown up by June 12, and putting in place a democratic system of government that has lasted for 18 years.
“He says that it is a testimony to the innate democratic nature of Nigerians that today, democracy is flourishing in the country adding that restructuring of the country as being demanded by some well-meaning Nigerians would further consolidate democracy and give greater impetus to the unity and development of the country.
“Restructuring of the country would lay a solid foundation for prosperity and self-reliant development across the country by introducing healthy competition among the constituent parts of the Federation based on the principle of comparative advantage”, he quoted Atiku as saying.
Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has called on Nigerians to reject silence in the face of extrajudicial killings and other abuses of human rights.
Soyinka stressed that accountability and civic courage remain essential to rebuilding public confidence in the nation’s institutions.
He made the call during the 28th Wole Soyinka Lecture held in Port Harcourt, last Friday as part of activities marking his 92nd birthday.
The lecture, themed “Reclaiming the Nigerian State through Accountability, Justice and Civic Courage,” drew participants from different sectors of society.
The renowned playwright and human rights advocate said the country’s greatest tragedy was not only the unlawful killings carried out by state and non-state actors, but also the silence that often follows such incidents, allowing perpetrators to evade justice.
According to him, indifference by citizens to abuses of power and violations of fundamental human rights has contributed to the persistence of extrajudicial killings and other forms of injustice across the country.
Soyinka said he dedicated this year’s lecture to victims of unlawful killings, noting that the event was intended to honour individuals who had lost their lives as a result of failures within the justice system and society’s inability to protect the sanctity of human life.
He stressed that the lecture was dedicated to what he described as the basic unit of every society – the human being, and urged Nigerians to place greater value on human dignity irrespective of ethnicity, religion or social status.
The Nobel Laureate recalled several incidents of violence, including the fatal shooting and killing of a young man in Ugheli in Delta State by a police officer, and the mob killing of Deborah Yakubu in Sokoto State sometime ago, lamenting that many of those responsible are yet to face justice.
He expressed concern that some perpetrators of violent crimes had openly admitted their actions without fear of prosecution, describing such situations as evidence of serious failures within the nation’s justice system.
Soyinka maintained that when justice is delayed or denied, public confidence in state institutions continues to erode, thereby encouraging further violations of human rights.
Responding to critics who accuse him of promoting religious or ethnic divisions whenever he spoke on such issues, Soyinka dismissed the allegations and pointed out that his advocacy has always centred on the protection of human life and the rule of law.
He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and continue demanding justice in cases of alleged extrajudicial killings, including the recent shooting of a young man by a police officer, stressing that every life deserves equal protection under the law.
The literary icon also recalled an earlier pledge by a past incoming president to make public the files relating to unresolved assassinations and extrajudicial killings, questioning the status of the promised investigations.
He challenged citizens to continue asking questions about unresolved cases, insisting that justice, accountability and respect for human dignity are indispensable to building a peaceful, democratic and inclusive Nigerian society.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has clarified that there was no fire at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, contrary to its earlier advisory.
Earlier yesterday, FAAN had announced that a fire incident had occurred at Terminal 2 of the nation’s busiest airport, and assured that its Aerodrome Rescue and Firefighting Service had been deployed to contain the situation.
There were also reports that activities were briefly disrupted at the airport yesterday after smoke was seen inside parts of the terminal.
Videos circulating online showed passengers kept standing outside the terminal while firefighters responded to the incident.
However, in an update issued less than two hours later by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, and posted on FAAN’s official X handle, the authority said preliminary findings showed that the smoke seen at the terminal was caused by the discharge of the facility’s FM-200 fire suppression system.
“Further to our earlier advisory regarding the incident at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) wishes to provide the following update,” the statement read.
“Preliminary findings indicate that there was no fire at the terminal. The smoke observed within the affected area resulted from the discharge of the terminal’s FM-200 fire suppression system. The reason for the activation of the fire suppression system is currently being investigated,” FAAN stated.
The authority said normal operations had resumed at the terminal while investigations were ongoing to determine the cause of the incident.
“Normal operations have since resumed at the terminal, while detailed investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the incident,” the statement added.
The authority thanked passengers, airlines, airport users and other stakeholders for their understanding and cooperation.
FAAN appreciated the understanding and cooperation of passengers, airlines, airport users and all stakeholders, and reiterated its commitment to the safety and security of all airport operations.
-
News6 hours agoSoldier, Police Officer Killed As Army Rescues Nine Abductees In Zamfara
-
News6 hours agoPH NBA Election: Committee Uncovers Over 500 Padded Names On Voters’ Register
-
News6 hours agoFubara Reaffirms Commitment To Creating Conducive Environment For Business Growth …Commissions Paint Manufacturing Plant
-
Oil & Energy4 hours agoNEDC Plans N100b Power Grid For 102 Council Areas
-
Business4 hours agoAsaba Private Jet Incident Was A Security Violation—Keyamo
-
Rivers5 hours agoWomen Renew Call For Unity, Back Fubara’s Political Direction
-
Oil & Energy4 hours agoNGLPP: FG Targets 5m Households By 2030
-
Rivers5 hours agoVice-Chancellor Commends Seamless Conduct Of RSU 2026/2027 Post-UTME Screening Exercise