June 12: Ogun Govt Gives MKO Abiola's House A Facelift

 

The house of late MKO Abiola, at Gbagura, Oja Agbo in Abeokuta, the  Ogun State capital has been given a major facelift, in preparation for June 12  Democracy Day this Wednesday, following a directive by 

Governor Dapo Abiodun to the  State Ministry of Housing to carry out the project 

It would be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari, before leaving office declared June 12 as Democracy Day in Nigeria, as against May 29, to celebrate the sacrifices made by Abiola in the quest for restoration of democratic government in Nigeria.

Governor Abiodun issued the directive in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary , Lekan Adeniran, and made available to newsmen in Abeokuta, the state capital on Tuesday.

According to the statement, the Governor wants the family house of the late Aareona Kakanfo of Yoruba land to be befitting and conducive for many pro-democracies activists who would be visiting for the celebration.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Head of the Abiola's family, Alhaji Tajudeen Abiola, has  expressed gratitude to the State Government for the gesture , which he said would not only bring changes to the Abiola family house alone but to the community as the collapse external drainage system  were also touched. 

"We are grateful to the State Governor for this kind gesture. The fallen ceilings were replaced, the windows were touched and the old buildings are wearing new looks," he said.   On his part, the son of the late business mogul, Ameen Abiola  said the family was greatful for  the generous disposition of the State Government  aimed at ensuring the sustainability of the legacy and ideals of their late father. According to him, the family would always be grateful for the various efforts aimed at bringing alive the memory  of their late father

Abiola, a business mogul and philanthropist, was believed to have won the June 12 presidential election in 1993, which was annulled by the then Military President, Ibrahim Babangida. He later declared himself as president and consequently arrested.

He eventually died in detention on July 7, 1998, in very controversial circumstances.