A human rights activist and the Convener, Nigeria Voters Assembly(VOTAS), Comrade Mashood Erubami, has said that President Goodluck Jonathan should be commended for deeming it fit to recognise the place of the acclaimed winner of the June !2 1993 presidential election, the late Chief M.K.O Abiola, by naming the University of Lagos after the late politician and business mogul.Erubami, who spoke at the 19th commemoration anniversary of the annulment of the June 12 election,which took place at the Parliament Building in Ibadan on Tuesday, said the move was a commendable one, saying this even became more imperative considering the fact that the president was the first head of state to give consideration to the collective thoughts of progressive Nigerians on the need to immortalise the late politician.'Even though', he said, 'we are not against naming the Abuja University after Chief M.K.O. Abiola, or the Institute for Democratic Studies when established to unbundle INEC from its burden of carrying voters and civic education to the people, or the Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, we still think we should commend Jonathan for his good gesture and courage, to align with the people to immortalise the acclaimed winner of the June 12 1993 election.'Ahmadu Bello University was named after Ahmadu Bello, Obafemi Awolowo University was named after Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Nnamdi Azikwe University was named after Dr, Nnamdi Azikwe, why not UNILAG and more for M.K.O'Are they less nationalistic''Erubami further stated that despite the opposition from negative elements against the yearly commemoration of the the June 12, that it was their duty to bring the day into constant understanding of the people to help our country resolve its lingering political, social and economic problems.According to him, the consistent celebration of the event constitutes a solid foundation on which the country could build its democracy and the future development of the nation.He added that it was his belief that 'we needed to constantly use the day to remind ourselves of the principles inherent in the June 12 phenomenon and the implications of not recognising it on our country.'He pointed out that that though, Chief Abiola had his own short comings, all those were overshadowed by his strong belief in democracy, which he said he stood and died for.Erubami added that in addition to celebrating Chief Abiola and his wife, the late Kudirat, that they were also celebrating others who risked their lives and all that they had to fight for the principles inherent in June 12 against a bestial military regime that was not ready to cave in.Furthermore, he advised the government to, in additon to the UNILAG named after Chief Abiola, that more national monuments be named after him, while he equally said that a post humous declaration of Chief Abiola be made as the winner of that election and have his photograph on the walls of State houses, Federal Institutions and Aso Rock, as a mark of honour for him.
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