It is arguable to aver that the popularity of Moshood Kashimawo Abiola, in Nigeria today, is not unconnected with the annulment of the June 12 presidential elections -an indelible date in the history of Nigeria. Although he had been famously heard and felt in the country sequel to the elections’ period, -due to his philanthropy- but his fame rose to a higher peak right from the 1993 June 12 elections day for it was an historical event that attracted not only the African continent but the world at large.
Moshood Abiola, was the twenty-third child of his father, yet the only survived one, thus he was given the name Kashimawo (which literally means ‘let us hope and see’) due to the fear that he might also not survive infancy. However, the gentleman did not only survive infancy but also survive poverty, for his father, a cocoa produce trader later run into bankruptcy when cocoa consignment was declared not worthy of being exported and this hit the family quite greatly. Abiola would wake up at dawn to gather firewood, before going to school, in the forest; a gesture to support the family. This can however be seen as his first attempt in business at age 9.
Obviously, the spirit of goodwill had been in him right from his tender age for he struggled so hard not to only survive but to also make life better for others. At age 15, He also set up a band that performed at events to earn basically to support the family.
Notwithstanding he was not swayed by the challenge faced by his family at the time and still focused in his educational career. Born and bred in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun state, he attended African Central School for his primary education, Baptist Boys Higher School as his secondary, where he served as the editor in chief of The Trumpeter, the school magazine. Furthermore, due to his brilliancy he was able to obtain government scholarship to study abroad at University of Glasgow, Scotland, the fourth oldest university in the English speaking world. Hence, he did not only bag a degree in accountancy in the university but also became a member institute of chartered accountant of Nigeria.
Before delving into political sphere, he had practically built his professional career to a colossal level working in different companies and member to several local and international associations. He worked at Barclay bank in Ibadan, in university of lagos teaching hospital as a senior accountant, Pfizer in US, and also served as the ITT corporation’s vice president, among other. He was also a member of Ansarudeen organization and he greatly supported the course of sharia, being a member of national sharia committee, and was also named Baba Adinni of Yoruba land.
At age 19, Abiola delved into political sphere starting with his membership in the national council of Nigeria and Cameroon (NCNC). There is no denying that what he felt as an opportunity for him to take up the mantle of leadership and serve his father land was the handing over of power by the military government to civilian government in 1979 and so he joined the ruling national party of Nigeria (NPN) in 1980 and was elected the state chairman of his party. Meanwhile amidst huffing and puffing, he was able finally secured the presidential ticket under the auspices of social democratic party (SDP) whilst beating Atiku abubakar and Ambassador Aaba Gana Kingibe against the june 12 1993 presidential elections. Alas his friend, the preceding military president, Ibrahim babangida he (Abiola) supported his coming to power betrayed him declaring the elections –that was declared freest and fairest by both local and international observers- null and void. Worst still, he was subsequently accused of treason for declaring himself president, arrested, detained in prison and met his demise in july 7 1998.
Howbeit, in what can be termed as apologies to the misdeeds done to him, it was imperative for for the government to honour him, nationally. Hence In 2018, President Muhammadu Buhari tendered a national apology to his family and posthumously conferred him a national title of GCFR. He was also immortalised by Olurotimi Ajayi who designed and erected the Abiola’s statue in Lagos which was unveiled by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode in june 12 2018.Even though the statue was first designed in 2003. Also, for the recognition of his candor to the course of democracy, his legacy and great exploits, Democracy day was shifted to june 12 from may 29, its initially marked day.
Notable among his contributions to the development of the country was the building of Quranic training centre in Abeokuta, establishment of bookshops to make available locally affordable textbooks, around 1980s when imported books were out of reach to commoners due to devaluation of naira and provision amenities such as foods, toiletries etc.
Ultimately, abiola’s lifestyle could serve an exemplary instance to the youth to strive and break from their shell. He was not bred with silver spoon but legally, he struggled to get one for himself. He was altruistically an exemplary leader, a cosmopolitan and comrade per excellence and an epitome of absolute democracy.
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