Publisher of Ovation Magazine, Bashorun Dele Momodu, has assured Nigerians that the country will not be thrown into war because ‘God is a Nigerian.’
He made this known at the unveiling of his three books; Pendulum: The Writings of Dele Momodu Vol I, Pendulum: The Writings of Dele Momodu Vol II and Fighting Lions, to commemorate the 20th anniversary of MKO Abiola’s death and to mark the 25th anniversary of the annulled June 12, 1993 election.
Presented at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Victoria Island, Lagos, Pendulum I and II are a collation of Momodu’s journalistic works in the past 30 years. While Fighting Lions, authored by Ohimai Amaize, who was Momodu’s presidential campaign manager in 2010, reveals the untold story of Momodu’s presidential campaign.
Speaking on what went wrong with Nigeria that had caused so much hate and anger, Momodu stated, “Nigeria died the day they annulled June 12 elections. On that day, there was no discrimination; we all wanted a Nigeria where everyone was a Nigerian, all that died that day. Right now, we have leaders who have never made anything of themselves, what can they possibly give?
“If MKO were here, he would be disappointed because what he laboured all his life for, the unity of Nigeria, is being taken for granted. We do not value the unity we have, however, we should bear in mind that the price of war is more expensive than the price of peace. Fortunately, God is a Nigerian and we will not go to war,” Momodu said.
The unveiling, which had late MKO Abiola’s wife, Dr Doyinsola Abiola, and four children in attendance, had the General Overseer of Latter Rain Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare, as the keynote address on the topic: The Pen is Still Mightier than the Sword.
Bakare said, “I said I wouldn’t miss this for two reasons, the first is; you cannot treat as an option, those that treat you as a priority. Dele has always been a loyal friend. The second reason is that, whether we like it or not, MKO is unforgettable and irreplaceable.
“The pen is still mightier than the sword. I say this because, with the stroke of the pen, life and world-changing changes can be made. It legalised slave trade and it ended the slave trade. It brought us our democracy and I am glad that the effort of people, who fought for it with the pen, was not in vain. Particularly those of the fourth estate of the realm who fought for June 12.”
Responding to the show of love for her late husband and the June 12 struggle, Abiola, who spoke on behalf of the family, said, “I pray that what happened must never happen again. It must not be allowed to happen again. I thank God that I am alive to see this day. It depends on each and every one of you to put people in power or send them packing.
“Dele is one of a kind; he could easily be the son of Abiola. He is a true friend of the family and he stood by the family throughout. I am very proud of you, Dele as well as other ex-Concord staff members that are holding their own. June 12 was not just about the Abiola family, it was also about those employees too.”
