Ekiti State Government has declared Monday as public holiday to mark the 18th anniversary of the June 12, 1993 presidential election which was won by the late Chief Moshood Abiola.
Activities lined up by the state government to mark the June 12 celebration include a public lecture to be delivered on Sunday by the former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) at the Abiodun Adetiloye Hall of the State Trade Fair Complex, Ado-Ekiti.
A movie on the June 12 struggle entitled: “Maami”, by Tunde Kelani will be shown on Monday at the same venue.
The state governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi in a statement on Saturday signed by his Special Adviser (Media), Mr. Mojeed Jamiu, described June 12 as “an important day in the history of democracy in Nigeria”.
He also advised the Federal Government to officially recognize June 12 as a national landmark maintaining that without June 12 there can never be May 29.
The governor said June 12 marked a watershed in the struggle to entrench democracy in the country adding that it has been universally acknowledged as the fountain of the democracy being enjoyed in the country today.
Fayemi also paid tributes to all those who paid the supreme price to ensure that democracy take root in the country, noting that it was their struggle that culminated in the nation’s eventual return to civil rule after many years of military dicatorship.
He said the people of Ekiti State who are now savouring the air of freedom brought about by the enthronement of a popular government will continue to remember June 12 with fond memories as he (Fayemi) was one of the actors that contributed to the struggle to chase the military overlords from power.
The governor urged the people of the state to also use the occasion as a moment of sober reflections on the journey so far with a mind to positively contribute to the development of the state.
Jun122011