By Joke Kujenya, JKNMedia Reporter
THE MINISTRY of Housing, Ogun State, has been directed the to promptly renovate the family house of the late MKO Abiola in Gbagura, Oja Agbo, Abeokuta.
This initiative, on the direction of Governor Dapo Abiodun, was in preparation for Democracy Day, which will be celebrated on Wednesday.
In a statement released by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Lekan Adeniran, the Governor emphasized the importance of making the house presentable and comfortable for the numerous pro-democracy activists expected to visit during the celebration.
This directive follows President Muhammadu Buhari’s declaration, prior to leaving office, of June 12 as Democracy Day to honour Abiola’s significant sacrifices for the restoration of democratic governance in Nigeria.
The statement highlighted the governor’s desire for the late Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba land’s house to be suitable for the occasion. In response, the Deputy Head of the Abiola family, Alhaji Tajudeen Abiola, expressed gratitude for the state government’s gesture.
He noted that the renovation would positively impact not only the Abiola family house but also the surrounding community, as improvements are being made to the collapsed external drainage system.
“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,” said Alhaji Tajudeen Abiola.
Ameen Abiola, the son of the late business mogul, also expressed the family’s appreciation for the state’s efforts to preserve and honour his father’s legacy.
He acknowledged the state’s initiatives in maintaining the memory and ideals of MKO Abiola.
MKO Abiola, a renowned business mogul and philanthropist, was widely believed to have won the June 12, 1993, presidential election, which was annulled by the then Military President, Ibrahim Babangida. Abiola later declared himself president and was subsequently arrested.
He died in detention on July 7, 1998, under controversial circumstances.
