Ogun Vow To Ensure Immortalization Of MKO…….As Family Commends State Government

The Ogun State government has assured that it would continue to liaise with relevant authorities to ensure that the late illustrious son of the State and acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola is immortalised by the Federal Government.

Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Taiwo Adeoluwa, who gave the assurance at a meeting with representatives of the family in his office in Abeokuta, submitted that Abiola deserves the honour and recognition, because he paid the supreme price for the emergence of democratic rule in the country.

He said apart from monuments, including the June 12 Cultural Centre, Abeokuta and the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, named after the late business mogul, who touched many lives positively during his lifetime, government believes that the late politician deserves more honours from the Federal Government.

The state scribe said that the Amosun administration had consistently celebrated the June 12 anniversary in appreciation of the legendary contributions of Abiola to democratic development in the country, adding that government would continue to accord his family due recognition.

“Since we came on board, every June 12, we do have a formal interaction with the family of Chief M.K.O Abiola. This is an exercise by the state government to sustain people’s awareness and keep the memory of the late sage alive”, he said.

Also speaking, a daughter of the late politician who is the Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade and Investment, Mrs. Hafsat Abiola-Costello acknowledged the contributions of the State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun to the family, emphasising that his relationship with the family predates his emergence as governor.

“Governor Amosun loves Abiola family, while in the Senate, he used to send materials to us. Working for him is almost like working for my father. We may need more from Ogun State government, but that is not to say that they have not done anything for us,” she said.

In his remarks, Head of the family, Alhaji  Muritala Abiola, lamented that up till now, the Federal Government is yet to do anything to immortalise the late politician. Meanwhile, The family also appreciated the governor for his various welfare programmes and appointment of children and family members of their late patriarch into top positions of government.

Head of the the family, Alhaji Muritala Abiola and a son of the late politician, Mr. Abdul-Mumuni Abiola, gave the commendation at a meeting with government officials led by the Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Taiwo Adeoluwa,preparatory to the June 12 celebration this year held in Abeokuta yesterday. 

According to them, the support and assistance received from the current administration in the state outweighs what it got from other quarters.

“Ogun State has been setting initiatives. What Ogun State has done is more than what we got from Lagos and some of these things cannot be quantified monetarily”, Abdul-Mumuni Abiola said.

Muritala Abiola denied a report in a national newspaper, which claimed that that he complained that the state government has not identified with Abiola family, saying he was quoted out of context.

“I am retracting my statement with regard to the relationship between the Ogun State government and the Abiola family. Those that interviewed me quoted me out of context and I apologise to the state government for the embarrassment”.

Among other family members present at the briefing were Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade and Investment, Mrs. Hafsat Abiola-Costello and Jamiu Abiola.