Lagos State Unveils Abiola Statue at Abiola Garden

The Lagos state government has on Tuesday, 12th June, unveil the long awaited giant statue of Late MKO Abiola at the Abiola Garden.

Present at the unveiling are the Governor of Lagos state, Akinwumi Ambode and his delegates, also notable is movie producer, Kunle Afolayan who displays the popular “democracy o!” fingers of Abiola.

Kunle Afolayan at the Late Abiola status unveil, Lagos. June, 2018

Some people have this to say.

We know many notable events has/will happen(ed) on June 12, but to us, they won’t be as substantial as June 12, 1993. Happy Democracy Day (Again).

#June 12 2018.
#Moment of Honour, Forgiveness, Hope & Unity.#MKO Abiola, GCFR.
#Babagana Kingibe, GCON.
#Gani Fawehinmi, SAN, GCON.

And Ladi B has this long one.

Yes, it happened!
Yes, it happened in my life time!!
Yes, I am a living witness!!!
Yes, I am happy to be involved… Yes, I sponsored a Legislative Motion at the Lagos State House of Assembly for Relics of June 12, Epetedo Declaration and; Others To Be Insitutionalized for Historical/Tourism Purposes.
And personally, this is emotional for me!
Hope is being rekindled. Democracy is taking firm root in Nigeria.

The President listened… The President is responsive and stickler to do the right things.
The President apologized… The President is sensitive and shows empathy.
The Abiola Family apologized for their patriarch’s involvement in 1985 coup which ousted the military regime of General Buhari/Idiagbon.
PMB, your place is cemented in Gold in the history of this great country.
President Muhammadu Buhari, a self confessed convert Democrat, provided rare leadership when it matters most.

I voted, I volunteered, I became a progressive at age of 18 and participated in the elections of June 12 1993 and the aftermath, struggles to validate the Mandate as a budding Student Unionist/Civil Rights Activist.

I was expelled from UNIJOS… I was saved from jaws of death on the streets of Jos, Ilorin and Lagos… I met men and women of value and conviction… I didn’t give up, I overcame!

Sadly, many were not lucky, many lost their precious lives, many lost limps, many lost fortunes, many became physically challenged till today.

Today, I joined millions of democrats worldwide to salute the courage, bravery, conviction, steel commitment to democratic ideals and personal sacrifices of those Heroes & Heroines of Democracy. ‘The Labour of Heroes Past Shall Never Be In Vain’. Happy Democracy Day, Nigeria!

Lagos State Unveils Abiola Statue at Abiola Garden

To plaster it, the President, Muhammadu Buhari has issued a certificate of National Honour, to the late Abiola under the section 1(4) of the National Honours Act as Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (GCFR).

Late Abiola’s GCFR certificate

Other photos for memories below:

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