June 12: Ambode Urges Nigerians To Remain United, Uphold Democratic Value

June 2

Representative of Lagos State Governor & Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs) Oluranti Adebule (middle), flanked by the Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa (right) and Special Adviser, Office of Civic Engagement, Mr. Kehinde Joseph (left) during the 24th edition of the June 12 Anniversary with the theme Development Strategy in Lagos State: A Blue Print For National Development at the De Blue Roof, LTV, Agidingbi, Ikeja, on Monday.

 

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Representative of Lagos State Governor & Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs) Oluranti Adebule (middle), flanked by the Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa (right) and Special Adviser, Office of Civic Engagement, Mr. Kehinde Joseph (left) during the 24th edition of the June 12 Anniversary with the theme Development Strategy in Lagos State: A Blue Print For National Development at the De Blue Roof, LTV, Agidingbi, Ikeja, on Monday.

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Monday paid glowing tributes to the late winner of June 12, 1993 Presidential Election, Chief Moshood Kashimao Olawale, M.K.O Abiola and other martyrs of democracy who laid down their lives in the struggle to entrench good governance in the country, urging Nigerians to continue to remain united and uphold democratic values.

The election, which was adjudged as the freest and fairest in the history of Nigeria, was annulled by the military junta.

Speaking at a symposium put together by the State Government in conjunction with June 12 Coalition of Democratic Formations to mark the 24th anniversary of the annulled election, Ambode said the day and the events that followed would remain evergreen in Nigeria’s political history, being a process through which Abiola and others laid down their lives in a bid to actualize the popular will of the people expressed through the ballot box.

Ambode, who was represented by the State’s Deputy Governor, Mrs Idiat Oluranti Adebule, said the seed of the 4th Republic currently being enjoyed was sown and watered by the blood of men and women who were cut down in their prime, adding that their memories would be honoured until the end of time.

While acknowledging the fact that the June 12 struggle was waged not only by Abiola and members of his family but also pro-democracy groups particularly National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), students, trade unions and indeed all Nigerians, Governor Ambode said it was a thing of joy that by the collective efforts of government and people, Lagos State, over the years, has kept alive the yearnings and aspirations of the people expressed on June 12, 1993.

He said: “It is an open fact that the successive democratically elected governments in the State since 1999 have been totally committed to democratic principles, rule of law, strengthening of democratic institutions as well as implementation of programmes and policies that would enhance the wellbeing of all Lagosians, without bias for tribe, religion, political belief or gender.

“To strengthen the hope of the masses in the principles of democracy, our administration embraced ‘all-inclusive policy’ which was geared towards involving all segments of the populace in the governance process; avenues and institutions were created to enable all have a voice in the affairs of the State.”

Aside that, Ambode said his administration also embraced Town Hall meeting approach to create avenue for numerous stakeholders and the people to air their opinions and suggest a way forward for the State, while wealth creation and job creation strategies were also adopted with focus on entrepreneurial activities to expose youths and the people to numerous skills to make them either employable or self-employed.

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Besides, Ambode urged Nigerians to keep alive the principles of June 12 by upholding democratic values and culture especially by participating in democratic processes such as voters’ registration exercise, voting for candidates of choice during election and avoiding any act that could disrupt peaceful conduct of free, fair and credible election.

He added: “We must also remain united and hopeful for a more prosperous future for our nation. This way, we will be keeping the spirit of June 12 alive and strong.”

Guest speaker at the symposium, Dr. Dele Ashiru from the University of Lagos, who spoke on the theme: “Development Strategy In Lagos: A Blueprint For National Development,” commended the leadership which the Lagos State has produced since 1999 till date.

He said it was incontrovertible that former Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu incubated the developmental agenda of the State and advanced by his successor, Babatunde Fashola, while the incumbent Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode is expanding and consolidating the vision of development in a seamless, ingenious and brilliant manner.

On his part, Chairman of the occasion and former Military Administrator of Lagos State, Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (Rtd.) said even though a thick cloud is hanging in the horizon on the state of the nation especially with agitations from all parts of the country, he was of the firm believe that the situation could still be salvaged through restructuring which would not be about re-inventing the will but returning to a federation of different peoples.

On his part, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Civic Engagement, Joseph Kehinde, also maintained that the June 12 Presidential election would  remain a defining moment in the country.

He further said that 24 years, democracy had been firmly rooted in Nigeria as a result of the resilience and supreme sacrifice made by Abiola.

“It is worthy of note that successive democratically elected governments in Lagos State have been marking the significance, the symbolism and the philosophy of June 12 on an annual basis, as we are presently doing at this forum.”

Joseph said that Lagos did not only celebrate the date, but worked to ensure that the dreams and aspirations of all progressive people to have prosperous society were being fulfilled through the provision of infrastructure, initiation of policies and programmes as well as signing of people oriented bills

Also the acting Chairman of June 12 Coalition of Democratic Formation, Comrade Linus Okoroji, demanded that June 12 be recognised as Democracy Day and not May 29.

He also said that with the situation of things around the country, it showed the nation had not learnt from the incident of June 12.

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