By Damola Emmanuel
The late Basorun Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, posthumously, got a big icing on his hefty cake Wednesday, when President Muhamadu Buhari, in his first June 12 Democracy Day address, named the sprawling Abuja National Stadium after him.
The President said henceforth, the Abuja National Stadium will be called Moshood Abiola Stadium.
It was another bold step by Buhari to bring to closure the injustice perpetrated by the military on June 12, 1993.
The Crest recalls that the President had, on June 6, 2018, awarded the highest national honour in the land, the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic, GCFR, to the late business mogul-turned-politician.
The honour is reserved for the nation’s president.
The President, on that day, also announced the award of the second highest national honour of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger, GCON, to Abiola’s running mate, Ambassador Babagana Kingibe, as well as the late foremost human rights and democracy defender, Chief Gani Fawehinmi..
Fawehinmi was honoured for his titanic role in the struggle for the revalidation of the pan-Nigerian mandate of June 12, 1993, given to the late Abiola but voided by the head of the then military junta, and his friend, General Ibrahim Babangida.
Also, as part of the healing process, the president, in his first June 12 Democracy Day celebration, Wednesday, announced the renaming of the Abuja National Stadium after M.K.O. Abiola.
The announcement drew a loud ovation as the programme at the Eagles Square, Abuja drew to a close at about 12. 34p.m.
