Abiola deserves GCFR, says son

•Mr Bello (right) receive his plaque from Mr Abiola (middle) and Dr Abiola...at the weekend

The presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, the late Bashorun Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola Abiola, deserved the highest national honour as compensation for his sacrifice for the country, his son Kola, said at the weekend.

According to him, Abiola, who died in detention following his declaration of himself as president, could only be compensated with the award of the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR) as a mark of honour.

“He won the election but he was denied and he died in detention. The award of GCFR which is given to only presidents is what can really show the nation’s appreciation for his sacrifice,” Mr. Abiola said at a reunion meeting of the ex-staff of Concord Press Limited in Lagos at the weekend. The late Chief Abiola was the publisher of the Concord titles.

His son spoke of plans to bring back Concord, adding that a documentary on the life of the Bashorun of Ibadan and the 14th Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland would be produced soon to properly situate his place in history.

Mr Abiola said Concord remained a major legacy of his father.

The call is the latest from Nigerians who are seeking the government’s recognition of Abiola’s role in Nigeria’s democracy. Abiola died in 1998.

The Concord group, which dominated the scene in the 80s and 90s, was founded by the late billionaire business mogul in 1980. It published National Concord, Sunday Concord, Weekend Concord, African Concord Magazine and a host of vernacular and community newspapers.

Friday’s occasion was also used to honour ex-Concord employees, who were recently appointed or elected into public positions.

Among those honoured were Secretary to Lagos State Government Mr Tunji Bello and spokesman of President Muhammadu Buhari, Mr. Femi Adesina.

Also honoured were Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) President Waheed Odusile, one of his predecessors and House of Representatives member Mallam Sani Zorro; Group Public Affairs Manager of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Mr Ohi Alegbe, Senior Special Assistant (Media) to Niger State Governor, Mr. Jide Orintunsin and Managing Director of The Sun Mr. Eric Osagie.

Another of the late Abiola’s sons, Deji, attended the ceremony, which was presided over by Dr. Doyin Abiola, the former managing director ofConcord and wife of the late politician.

Dr  Abiola, admonished members of the “Great Concord Press Family” appointed into public offices to use their offices in enhancing greater public good rather than enriching themselves.

According to her, this would help in rating high the journalism profession and making Nigeria an enviable country among the comity of nations.

She bemoaned the decline in public and moral values in the country, adding that only a great and sincere effort could bring back the country’s glory.

The event was attended by former Deputy Managing Director Stanley Egbochuku, Mr Mike Awoyinfa, Lisa Olu Akerele, Alhaji Liad Tella, Mr. Kunmi Olayiwola, Mr Louis Odion, Mr Lanre Arogundade, Mr. Jonas Agu, Mr Aliu Mohammed, Mr. Goke Odeyinka, Mr. Mojeed Jamiu, among others.

The Nation