President Mohammadu Buhari has renamed the Abuja National Stadium after acclaimed winner of 1993 General Election, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola.
The honour is coming 26 years after that historical election adjudged to be the fairest since the country’s independent in 1960. The President had earlier signed into the law the recognition of June 12 as Democracy Day as well as public holiday replacing May 29th which was hitherto observed as public holiday and democracy day.The law now recognises May 29 as inauguration day only.
With the announcement on Wednesday the late business mogul and well known philanthropist, now has two stadia named after him, the MKO Abiola Stadium in Kuto Abeokuta his home state and the National Stadium in Abuja.
In his speech at the event, which also marks Nigeria’s 20th year of uninterrupted democracy, Mr Buhari said the national stadium will henceforth be known as Moshoo Abiola Stadium.
“I declared June 12 in memory of late Abiola and gave honour to him … and I have also named the Abuja Stadium after Late Moshood Abiola,” the president announced.
The event at the Eagles Square was attended by other foreign leaders, including the president of Rwanda, Paul Kagame.