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30 yrs of June 12: MKO son’s bombshell: Buhari cancelled benefit to Abiola family despite GCFR recognition

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It will be exactly 30 years tomorrow since the June 12, 1993, presidential election generally believed to have been won by the late Bashorun MKO Abiola but annulled by the then-military government.

Abiola died in the ensuing attempt to reclaim his mandate in 1998, about four weeks after the military ruler who had detained him for declaring himself President, General Sani Abacha, mysteriously passed on in June of that year.

Abiola’s death sparked agitation across the country for his posthumous recognition as a former Nigerian leader immediately after the nation returned to civilian rule in 1999 but this was not achieved until 2018 when former President Muhammadu Buhari moved Democracy Day from May 29, the day Nigeria had returned to civil rule after the June 12, 1993 episode, to June 12.

Buhari did not stop there. He conferred posthumously the highest honour in the land and one usually conferred on Presidents or former Presidents, Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR), on the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election. Earlier, former President Goodluck Jonathan had tried to immortalise Abiola by renaming the University of Lagos (UNILAG) after him but the move was resisted by the UNILAG alumni, forcing Jonathan to beat a retreat.

Abiola’s then-running mate, Alhaji Babagana Kingibe, on his part, got the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) honour usually reserved for Vice Presidents or their equivalents from the Buhari administration. The gesture was interpreted in many quarters to mean that Abiola and Kingibe had been recognised as former President and former VP respectively. Whereas it is five years since June 12 was officially recognised, it is 30 years since the historic election.

President Bola Tinubu was a participant in the June 12 episode as he was involved in the then-transition to civil rule as a senator representing Lagos West before teaming up with pro-democracy elements to demand the restoration of the Abiola mandate from the Abacha regime under the aegis of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO).

And this is the first Democracy Day on June 12 under the Tinubu administration. In this interview, one of the children of the late Abiola, Jamiu, speaks on how the family has fared since the detention of their patriarch, the death, the murder of his mother, Kudirat, during the struggle and other issues around June 12.

It has been 30 years since the June 12 election and nearly 25 years since your father’s demise. How has it been with the family?

It has not been easy at all. It was from the heights of joy as a result of the presidential victory to the depths of sorrow because of the annulment. Such an event can only be devastating to any family. This is not to mention other countless negative consequences of the tragedy. The family has accepted the fact that life must go on.

This is the only attitude we can adopt as a family, particularly because in most countries similar to Nigeria, in terms of population and ethnic diversity, there has always been a family that has paid the supreme price for democracy and stability.

The Ghandis in India, the Bhuttos in Pakistan and even the Kennedys in the United States of America have all lost at least family members to unnatural causes that were politically motivated. This is a fact that can now be sadly said about Nigeria too.

At a time, stories about disputes resulting from sharing of inheritance were peddled. It was also said that paternity and Deoxyribonucleic Acid, DNA, tests were conducted…

Most of what you have heard is true. When it rains it pours and this is what further exacerbated the tragedy. DNA tests were conducted but this issue was deliberately mishandled to divert attention from my father’s assets. The fact that some had failed the DNA test should never have been published in newspapers. So, there were court cases later used as excuses for stalling the sharing of my father’s assets or diverting their proceeds to fictitious legal charges. The fact that all of this was happening just a few years after my father died was a great disservice to his memory and legacy.

But this is in line with something God Himself had mentioned in the Koran when he stated that among our family members, some might be our enemies. It is a lesson from which many people, old and young, should learn. To make matters worse, those who took over his assets have even refused to maintain the house in which he was buried, even though it will not cost more than a tiny fraction of their loot.

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BREAKING: Tinubu to meet Obasa, Lagos Assembly members in Abuja

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President Bola Tinubu is scheduled to meet with the Lagos State House of Assembly, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Already, the Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, arrived at about 2:50 pm, while his colleagues had earlier arrived in two coaster buses.

The meeting may not be unconnected with the recent leadership crisis in the State House of Assembly.

The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Obasa was impeached by some of his colleagues but he was later reinstated after the intervention of the political leaders especially the Governing Advisory Council, GAC.

Despite the Speaker’s reinstatement, it was gathered that the bad blood as a result of his impeachment is yet to be over.

Details later…

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UK, Nigeria launch creative industries technical Working Group

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The UK and Nigeria have officially launched the Creative Industries Technical Working Group, marking a pivotal development in the UK-Nigeria Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP).

This partnership aims to deepen bilateral ties and create a robust framework for growth within the creative sectors of both nations.

A statement by the UK High Commission in Lagos said the launch of this working group and a match-making event for UK-Nigeria creative industries leaders today in London represents a milestone in the UK-Nigeria relationship, designed to boost innovation, cross-border creative collaborations, and sustainable economic growth and development.

It said both events provided a dynamic platform to explore new opportunities and form commercial alliances within key creative subsectors such as Film and TV, Music, Fashion & Design, Architecture, Advertising, and Gaming.

The initiative is poised to foster long-term growth, enhance job creation, and unlock new pathways for creativity and innovation in both countries by prioritising collaboration and cultural exchange.

Speaking on the significance of the launch, Florence Eshalomi MP, the UK’s Trade Envoy to Nigeria and Co-Chair of the UK-NG Creatives Technical Working Group, said: “Today marks a significant moment as we launch the UK-Nigeria Creatives Working Group.

Our nations share a rich cultural bond and a deep belief in the transformative power of creativity, through music, film, fashion, and the arts.

“This initiative, rooted in our landmark Enhanced Trade & Investment Partnerships (ETIP), will drive stronger trade ties, foster deeper collaboration, and unlock the full potential of our creative industries.

“By enhancing market access and investing in skills, we are opening doors to new opportunities that will create jobs and boost economic growth in the UK and Nigeria.”

Emphasising the need for deeper creative and cultural ties, Mr Obi Asika, Director General of the National Council for Arts and Culture and Co-Chair of the UK-NG Creatives Technical Working Group in Nigeria, said: “Nigeria’s creative economy is a global force, driven by our storytellers, musicians, designers, and digital innovators.

From Nollywood to Afrobeats, fashion to gaming, our industries are reshaping global culture and commerce.

“However, to unlock the full potential of this sector, we need strategic investment and support not just in talent, but in the institutions and infrastructure that will sustain long-term growth.”

Representing Mr., Obi Asika from the Nigerian side, Prince Baba Agba, Special Assistant to the President of Nigeria on Creativity, underscored the importance of leveraging UK expertise for impactful collaborations, adding:

“The UK’s creative industries stand as a global benchmark for institutional excellence, market distribution, and innovation.

We are eager to tap into your expertise for meaningful partnerships.

“This Working Group isn’t just about discussions – it’s about taking concrete actions that will yield tangible outcomes for creators, businesses, and industry stakeholders on both sides.”

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BREAKING: Fubara denied access to present budget, locked out of Rivers Assembly complex (Video)

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Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara was on Wednesday denied access to the Rivers State House of Assembly quarters, where lawmakers currently hold plenary sessions.

ohibaba.com gathered that the governor arrived at the Assembly quarters on Wednesday morning to present the state 2025 budget but was met with a locked gate, preventing his entry.

Fubara had earlier pledged to implement the Supreme Court judgment, which includes the formal presentation of the 2024 budget.

The budget was initially presented to a four-member Assembly faction in December 2023.

Last week, the Assembly issued a 48-hour ultimatum for the governor to present the 2025 budget.

In response, Fubara stated that he was awaiting the Certified True Copy, CTC, of the court judgment before proceeding.

On Sunday, in a letter signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Tammy Danagogo, and addressed to Speaker Martins Amaewhule, Fubara invited lawmakers for discussions on the Supreme Court ruling.

The discussions were expected to cover issues such as the budget presentation and the payment of outstanding salaries to the legislators, amongst other issues to chart a way forward for the state.

Watch video below:

Video source: ChannelsTV

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