A former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, acknowledged on Saturday that the late acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Chief Moshood Abiola, sacrificed for the nation.
He made this remark at the 4th founder’s day of Nobelhouse College, Abeokuta, and 85th birthday of an industrialist and philanthropist, Chief Olatunde Abudu.
The former president, who was one of the guests at the event, was commenting on a remark made by the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, who said Ogun State could have produced three presidents, if not for “bad belle.”
While he described Abudu as a rare specimen of human being, he equally commended him for his philanthropic disposition and business acumen.
Obasanjo said, “As Kabiyesi has said, that Ogun State would have produced three presidents if not for ‘bad belle.’ I want to agree with him that Abiola sacrificed for the nation.”
Present at the event were the head of interim national government, Chief Ernest Shonekan; a former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Bola Ajibola; Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; and Osile Oke Ona Egba, Oba Adedapo Tejuoso, among others.
Obasanjo also noted that Egbaland had brilliant minds who had contributed to the development of the nation.
This remark was coming less than two weeks to the 21st anniversary of the annulled election.
“Indeed, Abiola contributed to the development of this country. He sacrificed everything for the development of this country,” Obasanjo stressed.
The former president said education should be given priority, adding that the state had an edge in this aspect and it must be maintained.
Obasanjo commended Abudu for contributing to the development of the state by investing in education and other sectors.
Source: Punch
