A breakfast tribute and prayer session is scheduled to hold at the Ikeja, Lagos residence of Chief Moshood Abiola on Monday in commemoration of the 24th edition of the anniversary of June 12.
The session is organised by The June 12 Democracy Movement, an organisation initiated in 1993 to resist the unilateral annulment of the presidential elections won by MKO Abiola in 1993 by the military under the leadership of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida.
According to a statement issued by its head of Media and Publicity, Niyi Babade, the movement had invited notable elder statesmen, leaders of thought, political ideologues and activists of high repute to commemorate the 24th anniversary at the occasion.
The event, the statement said, would pay tribute to “Bashorun MKO Abiola, who eventually paid the supreme sacrifice with his soul and towards the advancement and consolidation of democratic governance in Nigeria”.
The theme of the event is: June 12 and the hope of equitable restructuring for Nigeria.
Former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to chair the event, while former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubarkar, is expected to deliver the keynote address on the restructuring of Nigeria.
The father of the day is Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka.
The panel of selected eminent Nigerians from across the six geo-political zones of the country will be expected to pay tributes.
“It is also expected that the interactive dialogue will attempt to find enduring solution to the current ethnic acrimony and tension in the country”, said the group.
The statement reads further: “If there is anything which has changed our country for the better today, it is the resolve of some Nigerians to make sacrifices or even die for democratic governance for Nigeria.
“MKO Abiola was one of these heroic Nigerians, who paid supreme price with his life for us all to attain the present civil rule in Nigeria.
“Monday, June 12 2017 is another memorial for the sacrifices of MKO Abiola as well as other heroes and heroines in bequeathing a democratic foundation for civil governance in Nigeria.
“This event also, for sure, promises to be a great day of prayers for Nigeria, solemn reflections on the state of Nigeria and glowing tributes to memory of all the martyrs, heroes and heroines of Nigerian democratic struggles”.
