Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba Land, Aare Ganiyu Adams (middle), Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos State Council (left) and the Managing Editor, TheLead Online, during a visit to the Aare at his Lagos residence on May 29, 2018.

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos State Council and the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) have agreed to collaborate and work out modalities for the 2018 anniversary of the June 12, 1993 Presidential Election won by late Chief Moshood Kasimawo Olawale Abiola fondly called MKO.The programme is the 25th anniversary of the June 12, and will hold at the Excellence Hotel, Ogba, Lagos state.The poll, annulled by the military junta led by General Ibrahim Gbadamosi Babangida was adjudged as the freest election in the history of Nigeria till date.On Tuesday, the Chairman of Lagos NUJ, Dr Qasim Akinreti and a member of union, Mr Ajibola Abayomi, the Managing Editor of TheLead Online, during a courtesy on Aare Ganiyu Adams at his residence wrapped up the deal between the union and the OPC.Speaking, the NUJ chair noted that the 2018 June 12 anniversary was symbolic being the 25th edition.

“We have positioned ourselves to work with your organization, OPC because of your consistency, belief in free poll and good governance that Abiola stood for.“Also, it pleases God to make you succeed MKO as Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba Land, and this will be the first anniversary after you assumed that exalted office. We are assuring you of our commitment to this noble anniversary and we shall do everything within our powers to ensure its success” Dr Akinreti pledged.

An elated Adams, who also doubles as National Coordinator of the OPC went the memory lane recalling that: “We began the anniversary of June 12 as a body since 2001. I never knew I would succeed Chief Abiola as Aare Ona Kakanfo then.

“You would recall that I was also a foot soldier during the struggle for the actualization of the June 12 mandate. All I was doing then was not borne out of selfish interest or what I would gain.

“That I have been positioned where I am today, it was by the grace of Almighty God. All over the world, we have been spreading the unique tidings about the Yoruba culture.

“Abiola was a unique Nigerian who despite his riches, he lived helping the poor. He was always in torch with the middle class and the down trodden. That alone, spoke volume of why he was massively accepted by Nigerians during election.“That the military government of Babangida truncated that election does not mean that they have killed the spirit of Abiola’s victory which would linger on for centuries to come. I hope the political class will learn lessons and conduct elections that will reflect the wishes of the people.”

Commenting on the partnership, he said, “It is a good thing that the NUJ is coming forward to work with us on this important occasion. Nothing can be achieved without input from journalists.“You people are examiners, we are the students. Whatever we do, we mirror ourselves in the society through the media. We have been collaborating with the Lagos NUJ for years and we shall continue to do that for the good of the nation” Aare Onakakanfo said.
The theme of this year is “Nigerian politics and the Democratic Process: MKO Abiola and the June 12 ,1993 Crises and Beyond”.              Guest Speaker – Dr. Derin K. Ologbenla. (Associate Professor of Political Science), Department of Political Science, University of Lagos.The venue is at Excellence Hotel, Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos Time – 11am 

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