MKO Abiola Statue

MKO Abiola Statue
Artist Bunmi Babatunde
Year July 7, 2008 (2008-07-07)
Type Statue
Medium
Condition Erect
Location Ojota, Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria
Owner Lagos State Government

The MKO Abiola Statue is a monumental statue designed and erected by Bunmi Babatunde in memory of Chief Moshood Abiola, a politician who was widely regarded as the winner of the inconclusive 1993 Nigerian elections. Standing at about 9 feet 8 inches tall, the statue was unveiled on 7 July 2008 during the administration of Governor Babatunde Fashola.

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 former Governor Babatunde Fashola unveiled the MKO Abiola Statue on 7 July 2008 – exactly ten years after his death – in Ojota, a suburb of Lagos.[6] Bola Tinubu, a former Governor of Lagos State commended the initiative by Babatunde Fashola in “keeping the spirit of development in Lagos alive”.[7]

Structural description

Located at the heart of the "MKO Gardens" and standing at about 9ft 8inches tall, the MKO Abiola Statue is mounted on a concrete pedestal. The sculpture – made of bronze – shows a smiling Abiola wearing a flowing agbada with his two hands raised above chest level. The MKO Abiola Statue was first designed in 2003 before it was re-designed to its current state.[6]

References

  1. ↑ 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.
  2. ↑ Frank H. Columbus; Olufemi Wusu (1 January 2006). Politics and Economics of Africa. Nova Publishers. pp. 123–. ISBN 978-1-60021-173-7.
  3. ↑ Africa Research Bulletin: Political, social, and cultural series. Blackwell. 1998.
  4. ↑ Africa Film & Tv. Z Promotions. 1999.
  5. ↑ The Economist. Charles Reynell. 2000.
  6. 1 2 Ozolua Uhakheme; Moyosore Adeniji (3 September 2008). "Honour for heroes". The Nation. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  7. ↑ "Lagos State erects bronze statue in memory of MKO Abiola (PICTURE)". Nigeria World. Nigeria70. 9 July 2008. Retrieved 31 August 2015.

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