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Exclusive: Abiola’s GCFR Honours: Kola Abiola’s Acceptance Speech

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Below is the detailed acceptance speech of Mr. Kola Abiola on reception of the GCFR award for the winner of the June 12, 1993 Presidential Election, Bashorun MKO Abiola:

ACCEPTANCE SPEECH: RE: NATIONAL HONOUR FOR LATE BASHORUN MOSHOOD KASHIMAWO OLAWALE ABIOLA AND DESIGNATION OF JUNE 12 AS DEMOCRACY DAY

RECONCILING THE PAST

Your Excellency, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR), the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo (GCON), Members of the Federal
Executive Council present, State Governors present, Legislators present, Awardees, distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen.

It gives me great pleasure and honour to stand before you today on this epoch-making occasion to accept this award. I do not stand here alone. I do not stand for myself. I stand for the MKO Abiola family in all its entirety. I also stand for the millions of Nigerians who had almost given up hope that a day like this would ever come. Most importantly, I stand for the Pillar of Sports in Africa, Bobagunwa of Egbaland, the Basorun of Ibadan, the 14th Are Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, the Magayakin Katsina, the Magayakin Zauzzau of Suleja, the Osemoya of Auchi among over a hundred other titles. I stand here with a huge sense of
history and responsibility, for Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola (MKO), Grand Commander of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (GCFR).

My late father used to say: “you can’t shave a man’s head in his absence”. Mr. President, I dare say, with this courageous posthumous honour award being bestowed today, you have just succeeded in shaving MKO’s head behind him.

MKO was a man of many parts. He knew and touched every part of this great land of ours. From the North to the South, from the East to the West, he was at home everywhere across Nigeria. He believed that every Nigerian deserved to benefit from the immense endowments of this great land. In his private capacity, he didn’t just invest in businesses across Nigeria, he invested in people and causes. He was a great believer in Nigeria, a
detribalised Nigeria and a Pan Africanist.

With his uncommon passion and commitment to progress, not many were surprised that he vied for the highest office in the land.

On June 12 1993, Nigerians from all nooks and crannies, from all works of life including the military trooped out to affirm their belief in the future MKO Abiola envisioned for Nigeria. It was beyond ethnicity; beyond religion; beyond all the things “ they” use to keep us divided. To quote Mr. President, “it was undisputedly the freest, fairest and most peaceful election since our Independence.” The pain and anguish that followed in the wake of the cruel annulment of this watershed event in the life of our nation is well known to those of us who witnessed it and had to endure its ugly consequences.

The return of democratic rule on May 29, 1999 offered us a chance to face the reality of our recent history. Rather than reconciling ourselves to the truth and righting the wrong, the new democratic government failed the first test by designating the day it came to power as Democracy Day. This singular act indicated a warped reading of history at the Federal level which all South Western states tried to address by commemorating
June 12 nonetheless.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission that was inaugurated subsequently became a parade in futility by failing to acknowledge the truth about the pivotal role of June 12 1993 in
the rebirth of our democracy. It is for this reason that I never took the exercise serious enough to attend it.

Mr. President, today you have not only given June 12 its rightful place in the history of our nation, this brave act of yours is telling the people of Nigeria that voted on June 12 and the millions of Nigerians that have had to bear the brunt of the consequences of the annulment that all hope is not lost. It has taken over two decades, but finally the votes have not gone to waste.

I would therefore like to thank the Executive branch of the Federal Government of Nigeria led by Your Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) and the Vice President, Professor
Yemi Osinbajo (GCON) for genuinely commencing the process required to bring Truth and Reconciliation to our nation and thereby ensure for us all the hope of a peaceful future.

On a day like this, we cannot forget the sacrifices of those Nigerians who paid the ultimate price for our democracy. We remember Pa Alfred Rewane, Chief (Mrs.) Bisoye Tejuosho, Dr
Shola Omatsola and Bagauda Kaltho among many others. For our family, we didn’t just lose our patriarch, we also lost our own Alhaja Kudirat Abiola. May God in His infinite mercy bless their souls.

Leadership always demands objectivity even at one’s own expense. At certain points in our lives, we all have to make a choice. A choice between what suits our fancy and what works in
the interest of the common good. Mr. President, you could have ignored the call of many Nigerians that led to this day. After all, you were not involved in the events that led to the political impasse of June 12 1993. Rather, you chose the path of statesmanship for the sake of posterity. For this, once again, we salute you.

Life is all about the choices we make. My father could have chosen to continue living his private life as a businessman and philanthropist. Rather, he chose to serve his fatherland as his way of paying back a nation that had given him a lot of opportunities. While many expected him to buckle in and go back to his former life at the height of the June 12 backlash, he chose to fight on until the very end.

On a personal note, over the years, a lot of people have asked and wondered why I am not visibly involved in politics or any form of agitation. There is really just one reason.

At the tender age of 29, I was privileged to lead the Hope ‘93 campaign organisation. Together with SDP, we organised and conducted probably the best campaign to elective office in the history of this country to date cumulating in Nigeria’s undisputed free, fair and most peaceful election to date. I am glad that most of the key players of that era are still around as living witnesses to the humble contributions of our young and dynamic team that worked tirelessly to deliver the ticket. Unfortunately, the results were annulled, leaving me in limbo.

As a person, I find it difficult to leave anything unfinished. I made a vow to myself that until this whole matter is resolved, I will not get involved politically in any form or shape. I took on a quiet mission of bringing closure to this sordid chapter in our lives.

Mr. President, for me today is Mission Accomplished. As my father would say, no one can clap with only one hand. Our nation today faces the threat of ethnic and religious divisiveness.

From different corners of our nation, there is a growing tribe of people who will stop at nothing to remind us of what makes us different. As a person, I have chosen to think and act otherwise.

Our demographics may tell us that we are a nation of 250 ethnic groups and over 400 languages, but our survival in the 21st century and beyond, demands that we see ourselves as one tribe – Tribe Nigeria. This is the cause I have chosen for myself. I am committed to working with like-minded Nigerians to make this day count in the annals of our nation.

Once again, Mr. President, on behalf of our family, I thank you forthis great honour you have done my father. I thank you for taking this decisive measure to strengthen the foundation of our democracy and guarantee our future by reconciling our past.

Generations to come will honour you for this brave act.

May the soul of all our dearly departed for ever Rest In Peace.
God bless Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Thank you.

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KFC Reacts As FAAN Shuts Down Its Operations in Lagos Airport

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The Management of Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) has reacted to the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN)’s move to shut down its branch at the Muritala Muhammed Airport, for violating laws protecting the rights of people with special needs.

The action was confirmed through a statement released on Thursday by FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Obiageli Orah.

The official statement, titled ‘FAAN shuts down KFC outlet at MMIA,’ highlighted that the closure was in response to the outlet’s breach of the Lagos State law on People with Special Needs, specifically referencing Part C, Section 55 of the General Provisions on Discrimination.

Responding to the development, KFC posted on its official X account that it opposes bias and discrimination, stressing that the incident did not reflect its standards.

The organisation disclosed that it had embarked on efforts to address the situation and urgently implemented sensitivity training for all its employees.

The statement read, “KFC is unwavering in our stance against bias or discrimination in any form, with inclusivity and respect as non-negotiable pillars of our values.

“However, this recent incident has underscored the pressing need for immediate action. We have embarked on efforts to address the situation and extend apologies and deeply regret the frustration and distress experienced by our guest.

“In response, we are urgently implementing sensitivity training for all our employees. This incident is not reflective of our standards, and we will act swiftly to rectify it.

“We are actively exploring solutions to equip our team members and establishments better to ensure that every guest feels genuinely welcomed and that we deliver empathetic customer service that proactively addresses the diverse needs of each guest.”

KFC had during the week, denied Adebola Daniel, son of former Ogun State Governor, Gbenga Daniel, access to their facility at the Muritala Muhammed International Airport  because of his disability.

Daniel had recounted his experience at the KFC outlet of the airport in a series of tweets posted on Wednesday via his X handle, @DebolaDaniel.

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Ezekiel Bolarinwa Ajayi: Mentor, Philanthropist Revels at 80

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By Eric Elezuo

The ancient town of Ile-Ife was agog weekend, when Professor Ezekiel Bolarinwa Oladele Ajayi, a renowned educationist, accomplished mentor and elder brother of veteran journalist, Dele Momodu, pulled all the stops to mark a resounding entry into the octogenarian club, celebrating his 80th birthday with fanfare, pomp and class.

The event, which attracted family members, colleagues in the academic world, friends and well wishers, was another testament in the expression of influence, clout and connection.

Held at the Rock Rehoboth Cathedral in the centre of Ile-Ife, the event brought out the best in the Stanford trained PHD holder, as beamed with contagious smiles, absorbing accolades from a crowd of well wishers and dignitaries, most of whom traveled half  way across the world to felicitate with the newest octogenarian.

A lavished reception followed after heartfelt prayers were said for the celebrant flanked by his wife of many years, children and grandchildren. The reception witnessed guests savoring the best of continental and local delicacies as well as dancing happily to the old school tunes.

The highpoint of the event was the cutting of the gigantic cake by the birthday boy around whom were dotting family members.

As guests expressed their profound, hearty and sincere congratulations towards the octogenarian, whose event changed the landscape of Ife, many recalled how they have come a long way from their very humble beginning in Gbongan Olufi.

Fondly called Ladele, Prof Ajayi was born on March 23, 1944 in Gbongan, Osun State, where he had his earliest beginnings.

He statted his education at the Saint Paul’s School Gbongan, before moving on to Saint Judes School, Ebute Metta, and later to Saint Stephens School, Ile-Ife, where he completed his primary education.

After his elementary education, he was admitted into the Government College lbadan, where he was described as having  ‘passed out in exceedingly bright colours’. As many that knows him has confirmed that Prof Ajayi was a walking encyclopedia, and vibrated with intelligence while at school.

It was not therefore, surprising that he later proceeded to the United States of America, after his secondary education, where he attended various prestigious Universities including Stanford University. It is worthy of note that all his appearances for university education were on different scholarships. It was also at Stanford that he bagged his PhD honours.

On the completion of his PhD programme in Stanford, Prof Ajayi was recruited by the University of Ife, as it was then known, before its transmutation to Obafemi Awolowo University, where he later became a Professor of Physics, a position he jealousy guarded until retirement from active classroom duties.

According to a very close family member and confidant, Bola Adeyemo, who spoke glowingly about their fond relationship, Prof Ajayi “also became active in things of God. Like a proverbial gold fish, he has been recognized as a Pastor. Ladele played a mentoring role in the final years of school for my twin daughters who both graduated from the medicine program in the same University.

“The mutual fondness between Ladele and I remains very much intact. Ladele and l share common ancestry. His father who was the Otun Olufi of Gɓongan was a much older cousin to my mother and was fondly referred to as baba mi ile ASORO. They both had the same tribal marks. Ladele can be classified as belonging to the royal class as his father was the OTUN OLUFI while his mother was the daughter of the ÒOSA, first class chief in Gbongan.”

A life of Prof Ajayi without a mention of prolific publisher of the Ovation brands,  Chief Momodu, remains incomplete. It is worthy of note that apart from both sharing the same mum as siblings, the Prof was instrumental in shaping and mentally mentoring Momodu on the path of education. His 80th birthday was a reminder of how it used to be in times past as it marks a form of reunion for the Ajayi extended household.

Among those who attended were his daughter, Kemi Ajayi-Ingram, who flew in all the way from the United States of America, with her entire family; his niece, Yejide Ajayi among a host of others.

We wish the ebullient octogenarian a splendid birthday, and many ore years of splendid celebrations.

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Easter, Ramadan: Adeleke Releases March Salaries, Pension, Palliatives, Approves Promotion for Personnel

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Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has approved the release of salaries, pensions and palliatives for the month of March for all public servants in the state, as well as approved the promotion of service personnel due for promotion from 2023.

Adeleke’s show of love for the entire workforce, is in spite of the fact that the State allocation from the Federation account is yet to be released, according to a statement signed by the governor’s spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed.

The Head of Service, Mr Samuel Ayanleye Aina confirmed the approval of the March salaries, pension and palliatives, noting that the fast tracked approval covered all categories of state and local government employees including tertiary institutions in the State.

“I can confirm that Mr Governor has approved the March salaries, pension and palliative wage awards, including the usual payment of the outstanding half salary for retirees under the contributory pension scheme yet to obtain their bonds. Mr Governor requested for the file and granted immediate approval.

“Any moment from now, alerts will be landing in our peoples’ accounts. This is a preemptive step on the part of Mr Governor to meet the needs of our people”, the Head of Service explained.

Governor Adeleke who has been hosting inter faith leaders at the Government House said he approved the early payment to ease the burden of the workers ahead of the Easter period.

“As I wish muslim and christian faithfuls blessed fasting season, the early payment is a gesture of support for workers whose welfare remains the number one priority of our administration”, the Governor noted.

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