M.K.O finally got his honour

It is indeed notable that people love to have their accolades while alive but in the event of the unthinkable, a posthumous accolade or recognition is given to such person. In death, people still get their due recognition, but if a question is pushed out to people on when they would prefer to have their honour while alive, majority would prefer to have such done to them while alive.

There is an adage that the reward of teachers is in heaven. Teachers now prefer it to be on earth, former South Africa president, Nelson Mandela, was incarcerated for 27 years for fighting the apartheid government. He fought, won and got his reward on earth.

What was his reward? He contested for the post of president, he won, he reshaped South Africa and till date remains the best president to have ruled the country. I would say he was lucky to have spent that much time in prison and still became president, at least, he was not assassinated nor poisoned like the man that won the election that is described as the best election to have ever been conducted in Nigeria,  the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola.

In Ogun State, the state government under the leadership of Prince Dapo Abiodun has taken the bull by the horns, by organising a programme with the theme “Democracy: Beyond Abiola and June12” which started with a visit to the ancestral home of the late philanthropist in Oke Ago-Owu in Gbagura area of Abeokuta. In Ogun State, even before the late politician was honored with the highest award in the land, his name remained on the lips of every government in the state, with edifices like the  June 12 Market and Cultural Centre and the MKO Abiola International Stadium named after him.

To the surprise of Nigerians, the Late Chief MKO Abiola was posthumously honored by the Muhammadu Buhari administration with the award of Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR), an honour reserved for serving or former presidents. Though he got it after his death, it was worth it.

Taking the bold step, President Buhari only had a modest inauguration on May 29, and declared that there would be a huge celebration on June 12.

After the president had done what a lot thought to be impossible by honoring someone adjudged to have won an election so free and fair, the president did another — he named the Abuja International Stadium after the late politician.

President Buhari, with this bold step, has done a lot to right the wrongs of the past though he was not involved in the cancellation of the election.

Obasan Oluwafunso,

Ogun State.