Guardian Nigeria
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has urged Nigerians to cherish and live by the tenets of democracy for the prosperity and progress of the nation. He said all hands must be on deck to sustain democracy and ensure the struggle of the nation’s founding fathers and heroes of democracy, especially those who fought for the return of Nigeria to a democratic path on May 29, 1999, will not be in vain.
The governor gave the charge, yesterday while speaking at an event to mark the 30th anniversary of the Epetedo Self-Declaration & 13th National Discourse, organised by the Coalition for a Better Nigeria, with the theme, “Converting the Pain of June 12 Election Annulment to Gain of Present Administration,” held at MKO Abiola House, Ikeja.
Sanwo-Olu, who was represented at the event by his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, said: “As a nation, we must cherish our democracy and be democrats in all we do. Besides, democracy is not about force but conviction of ideas. So, it is not that my views must always win. It means we must debate it, we must talk about it and must come together to agree about it.”
He said that Nigeria’s democracy had gained its roots and given room for freedom of speech among other fundamental human rights, which have helped to create a conducive environment for economic growth, stability, and sustainable development.
He, however, stressed the need to study History as a subject in schools to enable younger generations to appreciate heroes who fought for the country, both the living and the dead.
Earlier in his lecture, titled, “Impact of June 12 on the Democratic and Economic Development of Nigeria,” Debo Adeniran reiterated that the late Abiola was a pillar of strength and hope for Nigerians and Africans, who paid the sacrifice for Nigerian’s freedom.
In her welcome address, the first daughter of late Abiola, Lola Abiola-Edewor, thanked the immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari for recognising June 12 and making it a democratic day and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his constant support to the family.
Abiola-Edewor stressed the need for Nigerians to be patient with the current administration as the Tinubu means well for the citizens, which can be seen in his policies and mantra, “the Renewed Hope”. She, therefore, urged Nigerians to continue to support and pray for the leadership of the country to succeed, saying: “Rome was not built in a day.”
