MKO Abiola Statue
| MKO Abiola Statue | |
|---|---|
| Artist | Olurotimi Ajayi |
| Year | 12 June 2018 |
| Type | Statue |
| Medium | |
| Location | Ojota, Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria |
| Owner | Lagos State Government |
The MKO Abiola Statue was designed and erected by Olurotimi Ajayi in memory of Chief Moshood Abiola, a politician who was widely regarded as the winner of the inconclusive 1993 Nigerian elections. Standing at about 14 m (46 ft) tall, the statue was unveiled on 12 June 2018 during the administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.
Background
Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, popularly referred to as MKO Abiola (24 August 1937 – 7 July 1998) was a businessman, publisher and politician.[1] He contested for the presidency at the 1993 Nigeria elections and was widely regarded as the winner although the final results weren't released.[2] In 1994, he was arrested and detained in prison on charges of treason after declaring himself as the President of Nigeria.[3] MKO Abiola died on 7 July 1998, the day he was due to be released from prison.[4] His death was trailed by suspicious circumstances, while an official autopsy stated that Abiola died of heart attack, General Sani Abacha's Chief Security Officer said Abiola was beaten to death.[5]
Purpose
In remembrance of the life, exploits and legacy set by Abiola, the Lagos state government through governor Akinwunmi Ambode unveiled the MKO Abiola Statue on 12 June 2018 – exactly twenty-five years after he won 12 June 1993 presidential election – in Ojota, a suburb of Lagos.[6] The governor said the statue would remain a memorial of Abiola's legacy and the greatness that he represented to Nigeria's political landscape.[7]
Structural description
Located at the heart of the "MKO Gardens" and standing 11 m (37 ft) tall, the MKO Abiola Statue is mounted on a 2.7 m (9 ft) pedestal making it a 14 m (46 ft) high monument. The sculpture – made of fiberglass – shows a smiling Abiola wearing a flowing agbada with his right hand raised showing the sign of peace. The MKO Abiola Statue was first designed in 2003 before it was re-designed to its current state.[6]
Image gallery
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A wide view of the Statue of Chief M.K.O Abiola in Abiola Gardens, Ojota, Lagos-Nigeria
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MKO Abiola Gaden
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MKO Garden, Ojota, Lagos
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A garage in Ojota
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A garden at Ojota
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References
- ^ Wale Adebanwi (31 March 2014). Yorùbá Elites and Ethnic Politics in Nigeria: Ọbáfemi Awólowo and Corporate Agency. Cambridge University Press. pp. 99–. ISBN 978-1-139-91711-7.
- ^ Frank H. Columbus; Olufemi Wusu (1 January 2006). Politics and Economics of Africa. Nova Publishers. pp. 123–. ISBN 978-1-60021-173-7.
- ^ Africa Research Bulletin: Political, social, and cultural series. Blackwell. 1998.
- ^ Africa Film & Tv. Z Promotions. 1999.
- ^ The Economist. Charles Reynell. 2000.
- ^ a b "[PHOTOS] June 12: Ambode unveils 46-feet statue of MKO Abiola". The Punch. 12 June 2018.
- ^ "Ambode pays tribute to Abiola, unveils statue". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. 12 June 2018.