Anambra govt seeks national holiday in honour of Azikiwe

Omo- Agege commends FG for recognising Abiola

THE government and people of Anambra State have said the declaration of June 12 as Democracy Day should be an opportunity for national introspection to enable Nigerians to identify gaps and take steps to correct them.

They noted that one of the gaps remained Federal Government’s failure to have a national holiday in honour of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, who led the country to independence on October 1, 1960.

The state Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, C. Don Adinuba, made the call in a statement in Awka yesterday.

He noted that although Anambra State had no issues identifying with MKO Abiola who was Azikiwe’s disciple, as he followed him to become not just a pan- Nigerian but also a Pan- Africanist, Nigerians was yet to honour the man who led them to independence.

Meanwhile, Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo- Agege has applauded President Muhammad Buhari for recognising Abiola as winner of June 12, 1993 election, by awarding him Grand Commander of the Federal Republic ( GCFR) usually reserved for presidents.

In his democracy day message, Omo- Agege also commended the President for declaring June 12 as the nation’s Democracy Day instead of May 29, adding that June 12 has deep historical significance for the country’s democracy.

He said Nigeria and Nigerians should continue to learn from the lessons of the annulled the June 12, 1993 presidential election.