DELE MOMODU: TIME TO DOCUMENT MKO ABIOLA ‘S MOMENTS IN PRISON

IKEJA, Lagos, Nigeria – It was a beehive of activities on Monday June 12, 2017 as hundreds of gaily dressed dignitaries and journalists across varied media establishments in the country thronged the newly commissioned magnificent COSON House located on Oluwaleimu Street in Ikeja for the June 12 celebration.

The celebration encompassed a lecture themed ‘June 12 and the Lessons of History’ which had journalist and Publisher of Ovation International Magazine, Bashorun Dele Momodu as guest speaker and the birthday celebration of TOPS first lady, the incredible singer, KASI, the June 12 Girl, born on June 12, 1993.

The event which began with a splendid cocktail on the posh red carpet laid out in front of COSON House witnessed the grand arrivals of top figures such as the former chairman of NCC, Professor Egerton Uvieghara; the Guv’nor of Niteshift Coliseum, Mr. Ken Calebs Olumese; Vice President Airtel Nigeria, Mr Emeka Oparah; BISCON C.E.O, Prince Bisi Olatilo; Hip TV Boss, Mr. Ayo Animashaun; Global Excellence Publisher, Mr. Mayor Akinpelu; Ovation International Magazine Editor, Mr. Mike Effiong; Yes International magazine Publisher, Sir Azuh Arinze; former MD of the Sun Newspapers and Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Mr Tony Onyima; former Delta State Commissioner for Sports, Dr Austin Izagbo; Media guru, Cally Ikpe, top journalist and presenter of the TV programme, ‘FAJ Alive’, Mr. Femi Akintunde Johnson; Agilent Wireless MD, Mr Lawrence Wilbert; Ace Nollywood actor and producer, Mr. Patrick Doyle; Intellectual property guru, Professor Bankole Sodipo; Activist Lawyer, Mr. Rockson Igelige; Celebrated international digital radio host, Alex Okoroji; Music stars, 2 Baba Idibia; Princess Annie Inyang, Kenny Saint Best, King Wadada, Chris Mba, D’lyte, G-Wilz, Kul-GP and Chief MKO Abiola’s son, Ola Abiola among many others.

Speaking on the theme ‘June 12 and the Lessons of History’, the Ovation publisher revealed that Nigeria is run by a mafia comprising of a few men and that it was them and their Cappo Di Tutti Cappi ( Boss of all bosses) who decide who rules the country. Bashorun Momodu went on to say that some people were not happy that Chief Abiola had won the elections without their support.

Dele Momodu described the late politician as a philanthropist to the core, noting that it was his dream to use Nigeria’s wealth to eliminate suffering in the country. Momodu went on to site an example of how Chief MKO Abiola who was extremely passionate about the country donated N30 million to 30 Federal Universities in a day.

Bashorun Momodu also recounted his last discussion on phone with Chief MKO Abiola, and how he and the Chief’s daughter had planned to issue a statement on July 7, 1998, the same day Chief Abiola passed on.

Concluding, Bashorun Momodu who spoke without any notes, declared that he believes the time is right to document his June 12 story in a book. He appealed to all who had contact with Chief Abiola during his incarceration to please come out and air their version, as the June 12 story will not be complete without detailing the events that happened to Chief Abiola during his imprisonment. He received a standing ovation.

To a deafening applause, COSON Chairman, Chief Tony Okoroji called up the Ovation Publisher, Bashorun Dele Momodu, alongside Mr. Ken Caleb Olumese, Prince Bisi Olatilo, and Innocent ‘2baba’ Idibia to the COSON House stage for the presentation of a post humous award to the late Chief MKO Abiola, the plaque of which was received by his son, Mr. Ola Abiola who thanked everyone for the exceptional honour done to his late father.

To bring a thrilling night to a crescendo, KASI, the enchanting TOPS music star who was born on June 12, 1993, the same day Nigerians lined up to vote in arguably the nation’s freest and fairest election ever, was called up to perform.

KASI who arrived COSON House on her fire red branded power bike, driving paparazzi into a frenzy, mounted the stage and held the packed audience spell bound. Prince Bisi Olatilo co-ordinated the cutting of her birthday cake and she was joined on stage by several power dancers and artistes from the wave making TOPS label such as DOLZI, the king of melody; G-WILZ, the rapper who is lyrically licensed to kill and KUL-GP who says emphatically that he does not look like Reekado Banks and indeed, it is Reekado Banks that looks like KUL GP! They sang and danced an unforgettable night away. It was a wow evening.