PHOTO NEWS: Tinubu, governors, ministers, activists attend premiere of MKO Abiola film in Lagos
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accompanied by his wife, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, governors, ministers and pro-democracy activists, attended the national premiere of MKO, a documentary film by US-based filmmaker Ose Oyamendan.
The screening, held at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, was part of activities commemorating Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary. The film chronicles the life, political struggle and legacy of the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola and the June 12 pro-democracy struggle.
The gathering included Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang and Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Also in attendance were the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole; Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Utsev; Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa; members of the National Assembly; former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba and other dignitaries.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, paid tribute to Nigerians who lost their lives or suffered persecution, detention, exile and other forms of repression during the struggle for the restoration of democracy.
After leading a minute’s silence for those who died during the democratic struggle, Onanuga said the sacrifices of pro-democracy activists must not be forgotten. He also paid tribute to journalists, lawyers, students, workers, academics and Nigerians in the diaspora who supported the June 12 struggle.
Musawa said the documentary chronicles events surrounding the June 12, 1993 presidential election, its annulment by the military authorities, Abiola’s arrest in 1994 after he declared his mandate and his death in detention in 1998. “This documentary is in honour of the heroes of June 12, the men and women who gave their lives for the mandate of June 12, 1993 and for the democracy Nigeria enjoys today,” she said.
Oyamendan commended Tinubu for his support for the project and thanked individuals and organisations that contributed to its production. He said MKO would help preserve Nigeria’s political history and give younger Nigerians an opportunity to reflect on the events, personalities and sacrifices that shaped the country’s democratic journey.
