Honour Deserving by the Undeserving
Honour Deserving by the Undeserving
Written on Thursday, May 31, 2012
The consequences of the renaming of UNILAG to Moshood Abiola University have had divergent views and constricted intricate issues:
1. Protagonists of June 12 and the real heroes of the democracy enthroned in 1999.
2. General angst towards GEJ regime characterised by ineptitude and riddled with corruption.
3. Formal/legal procedures for renaming a federal institution.
The ignorant students’ protesting is an unfortunate event which must be deplored despite understandable grievances.
Taking into cognizance June 12 was in 1993, which was 19 years ago, how old were those protesting if they were even born, their purported ignorance shows the dearth in our education sector for not knowing the full details of the philanthropy of Abiola, even within their institution.
They are ignorant of the events that led to the military junta exiting the stage in 1999.
They are ignorant of protracted struggles of students, UNILAG especially during the draconian military years, I was part of that era, so these current crop of students have no idea what 'Aluta' under military rule means.
They are ignorant of all those who were incarcerated and died in the battle to actualise June 12 and kick out the military.
There will be no semblance of democracy today if not for June 12 and its subsequent struggles.
But it also shows they are angry at the current administration and are wondering if renaming of their institution is priority now, by a government rife with unsolved cases of corruption.
The arbitrary disregard of the formal and legal procedures for renaming federal institutions, coupled with shunning due consultations with university dons, alumnus and students didn't in anyway help the cause.
A deserved honour overdue but from the undeserving has done more dishonour to an honourable gesture. A purported act of goodwill done out of desperation, albeit ill timed, would explicably be perceived as a 'Greek gift.
I will perorate by stating, some critics parochially lay too much emphasis on the personality, forgetting democracy is about the majority and not just about one individual, some are also oblivious of the fact M.K.O Abiola had the option of renouncing his mandate to be free, he had numerous opportunities of returning to his family but insisted on the mandate given to him by millions of Nigerians.
M.K.O Abiola remains one of the icons, symbols and martyrs of democracy; on June 12 1993 Nigerians put aside all their ethnic, religious, social and generational differences, unified to speak with one voice and chose him as President-Elect. June 12 1993 is still adjudged to be the freest and fairest election in Nigeria and must be given its appropriate and due recognition in the annals of our history.
-M.B.O
2012©
1. Protagonists of June 12 and the real heroes of the democracy enthroned in 1999.
2. General angst towards GEJ regime characterised by ineptitude and riddled with corruption.
3. Formal/legal procedures for renaming a federal institution.
The ignorant students’ protesting is an unfortunate event which must be deplored despite understandable grievances.
Taking into cognizance June 12 was in 1993, which was 19 years ago, how old were those protesting if they were even born, their purported ignorance shows the dearth in our education sector for not knowing the full details of the philanthropy of Abiola, even within their institution.
They are ignorant of the events that led to the military junta exiting the stage in 1999.
They are ignorant of protracted struggles of students, UNILAG especially during the draconian military years, I was part of that era, so these current crop of students have no idea what 'Aluta' under military rule means.
They are ignorant of all those who were incarcerated and died in the battle to actualise June 12 and kick out the military.
There will be no semblance of democracy today if not for June 12 and its subsequent struggles.
But it also shows they are angry at the current administration and are wondering if renaming of their institution is priority now, by a government rife with unsolved cases of corruption.
The arbitrary disregard of the formal and legal procedures for renaming federal institutions, coupled with shunning due consultations with university dons, alumnus and students didn't in anyway help the cause.
A deserved honour overdue but from the undeserving has done more dishonour to an honourable gesture. A purported act of goodwill done out of desperation, albeit ill timed, would explicably be perceived as a 'Greek gift.
I will perorate by stating, some critics parochially lay too much emphasis on the personality, forgetting democracy is about the majority and not just about one individual, some are also oblivious of the fact M.K.O Abiola had the option of renouncing his mandate to be free, he had numerous opportunities of returning to his family but insisted on the mandate given to him by millions of Nigerians.
M.K.O Abiola remains one of the icons, symbols and martyrs of democracy; on June 12 1993 Nigerians put aside all their ethnic, religious, social and generational differences, unified to speak with one voice and chose him as President-Elect. June 12 1993 is still adjudged to be the freest and fairest election in Nigeria and must be given its appropriate and due recognition in the annals of our history.
-M.B.O
2012©
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