X-raying the legacies of MKO Abiola, 25 years after

By: Lanre. P.Odukoya

DISCUSSING the life and times of the late MKO Abiola in this modern era could, to a great extent, sound like a fairy tale to many, especially considering his larger-than-life persona. A man of many parts who is best suited to being regarded as Nigeria’s ‘Midas’ because everything he touched turned to gold. His success as a businessman made him the toast of musicians of his days, such that when he indicated his interest in the June 1993 election, which he won but was later annulled by the then-dictator, General Ibrahim Babangida, his initials – M.K.O – was coined to represent Moni Kudi “Owo”. The coinage not only reflected his immense wealth but also the depth of admiration and acceptance he enjoyed in the hearts of the Nigerian people as moni is money in pidgin English while kudi and owo are the Hausa and Yoruba versions for money.

A hugely popular and widely accepted man who was known for his philanthropy, Abiola was not only regarded as Nigeria’s richest man in the 1980s through the early 1990s but was surely Nigeria’s most influential citizen. His influence, popularity and the desire to change the fortunes of millions through the instrumentality of the state accounted for his contesting for the presidency of his beloved country in the 1993 election when the military indicated interest in handing over to a democratically-elected president. He ticked all the boxes of the man who could bring back the glory days to Nigeria as evident in his thriving investments in Nigeria, Africa and the world, with Abiola Farms, Abiola Bookshops, Radio Communications Nigeria, Wonder Bakeries, Concord Press, Concord Airlines, Summit Oil International Ltd, Africa Ocean Lines, Habib Bank, Decca W.A. Ltd, and Abiola Football Club, to mention a few.

A man described as brilliant by many that were fortunate to cross paths with him, Abiola held enviable positions in corporations and non-profit organisations including Chairman of the G15 Business Council, President of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Patron of the Kwame Nkrumah Foundation, Patron of the WEB Du Bois foundation, Trustee of the Martin Luther King Foundation, andDirector of the International Press Institute, among many others. Little did anyone know that despite the giant strides made by this colossus in the fields of businesses across different sectors, what would mark him out even more for his greatness and etch his name in gold was the sacrifice he made for the actualisation of democracy in Nigeria. Twenty-five years after, Abiola is not just recognised as an African billionaire businessman and philanthropist but even more as a symbol of struggle, freedom, courage and democracy in Africa. While Nigeria recently celebrated 24 years of uninterrupted democracy, the Abiola family remembers the demise of their patriarch 25 years ago. For most Nigerians,it is about what could have beenas they cast their minds back to that period and of course, celebrating a patriarch, nationalist and hero who paid the ultimate price for his beloved country.

This metamorphosis from a man of intimidating influence and immense wealth to a national hero remains the greatest legacy of the late Bashorun MKO Abiola and one for which history would always be favourable to him. June 12 has become Nigeria’s Democracy Day and Abiola, who died in the custody of the Nigerian government while fighting for his mandate, remains its greatest symbol. Stories abound of his humanity largely characterised by his humility and philanthropy. One of such accounts that readily comes to minds was by former Editor-in-Chief of the Concord Newspapers,Nsikak Essien.In an interview with Azuh Arinze, Essien described Abiola as an extremely courageous person who was also generous to a fault. Highlighting Abiola’s brilliance and penchant for professionalism, the former newspaper editor said:“Almost every Nigerian knew Abiola then. As editor, someone working directly with him, I realised that he was a very brilliant person. He had ideas and wanted the best for Nigeria in terms of journalism in Concord. He wanted me to make National Concord the best newspaper in the country and I was determined to do that. And I think we achieved that before he died.”

Speaking of his generosity, Nsikak described Abiola as one for whom being generous was a disease. “I can tell you his generosity was a disease because if you met Abiola and he had only ten naira and you tell him that you needed money, believe me for the life of me, Abiola would give you nine naira and keep one naira.” Essien went ahead to relate an experience in Calabar in Cross River State where the late business mogul, having spent all he had on him, still went ahead to empty Essien’s pocketto bless the people waiting on him. Abiola’s legacy still remains indelible in the annals of our nation’s history. He remains one of the greatest financiers of football in Africa. He invested heavily and contributed to the popularity of the game in Nigeria with his football club, Abiola Babes. To date, the appellation “The Pillar of Sports in Africa” is still attributed to him 25 years after his passing. He contributed immensely to nearly all sectors of Nigeria, donating equipment, supporting with funds and encouraging development. Just as we have individuals remember him with fondness, so do we have those who fondly reference his staggering business feats.

In all, he lived a beautiful and inspiring life that can best be described in Dame Cicely Saunders’ words: “How people die remains in the memory of those who live on”. Nigerians and indeed Nigeria will never forget Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO)Abiola.