OWOLOWO

M.K.O Abiola: The Reparationist  Often, when M.K.O Abiola is mentioned, he is usually associated with extraordinary philanthropy and being a successful international businessman. Most especially, he is remembered as the winner of the historic June 12, 1993 Presidential elections that united Nigerians across ethno-religious divides. The posthumous Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (GCFR) award by the Federal Government of Nigeria is the most recent feat associated with M.K.O Abiola. However, his role as a reparationist and his founding the reparations movement globally is not as celebrated. M.K.O Abiola was a reputable international business mogul who had links with many organisations and highly influential people. In October 1990, Abiola attended the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) meeting in Washington, and was the recipient of the 1990 CBC Chairman's Award for Excellence in Service. The Congressional Black Caucus eulogised M.K.O Abiola with the ...

June 12: Blood Democracy & Spirit of Reconciliation  Unlike my previous June 12 articles, particularly “June12: Hope and The ‘Dividends’ of Democracy” and “June12: Sacrifices, Unity & Politics of Division”, this one is obviously very special – June 12 is official! On the 6 th of June 2018 President Buhari announced the posthumous honouring of the winner of the June 12, 1993 elections, Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola with the Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic ( GCFR) title. This is an honour long-overdue to a great man and philanthropist extraordinaire. Before getting into the nitty-gritty, I would like to state that some of us have been consistent with our June 12 position and were aware something was in the offing. In predictable fashion, some political opportunists are trying to reaffirm their relevance and take credit for what they know nothing about. As I basked in the June 12 euphoria, it occurred to me that 1993 was 25 years a...

Hijab and The Bar  A law student in Nigeria, Firdaus Amasa Abdulsalam fulfilled all academic requirements to practice the legal profession but was barred from the call to bar ceremony by the Law School Body of Benchers in Abuja on December 12, 2017. The reason for her being barred was because she wore along with her professional habiliments, her Hijab neatly tucked under the barristers’ wig. Apparently, there’s another case that is not yet as publicised as that of Firdaus. Another graduating law student, Aisha Zubair was harassed at the same call to bar ceremony – she was not only forced to remove her Hijab but had it trampled on, and had her certificate seized by obviously uncouth Law School personnel. Since the show of shame occurred, there have been arguments for and against the matter. The matter has taken a polemical life of its own and sides have been taken – some disappointingly extreme ones at that! Personally, I find it appalling the wearing of Hijab by a ...