Ogun declares June 12 public holiday in honour of Abiola

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By Olusola AJIBIKE (Abeokuta)

NIGERIA: OGUN State Government has declared Monday, June 12 as a public holiday to honour its illustrious son, the late politician, Bashorun Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola.

The Secretary to State Government (SSG), Barrister Taiwo Adeoluwa, made this known at the weekend in a statement made available to journalists.

Adeoluwa explained that the holiday was in line with the practice over the years to identify with and keeping the ideals of June 12, after the presidential election won by Abiola was annulled by the military regime of ex-President Ibrahim Babangida.

“Consistent with the practice of the past six years, and, as a way of identifying with and keeping the ideals of June 12 alive, the Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun has declared Monday, June 12, 2017 as work free,” he said.

The SSG stressed that the yearly holiday was to honour Abiola, widely believed to have won the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election.

Adeoluwa said that this year’s celebration will feature the annual “Democracy Walk”, which will be led by the Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun.

According to him, the walk will start from the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta by 7am and terminated at the Abiola’s family home.

“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,” the SSG further said.

Adeoluwa also said that 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 and 6pm.

He urged all government functionaries, activists, civil society organisations, democracy volunteers, civil servants, labour/trade unions, students, market women/men and other stakeholders to participate in the events, designed to draw awareness to the continued relevance of June 12.

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