Musawa to Nigerians: Preserve true meaning of June 12

The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, has called on Nigerians to remember June 12 as a symbol of sacrifice for democracy, rather than merely a public holiday.

According to a statement on Saturday, signed by her Special Assistant on Media and Publicity Nneka Ikem Anibeze, PhD, Musawa made the call at the national premiere of MKO, a documentary film on the late Chief Moshood Abiola, held at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary.

She said 33 years after the June 12, 1993 presidential election, many young Nigerians had limited knowledge of the sacrifices behind the country’s democratic journey.

According to her, the documentary would help reconnect younger generations with the history of the June 12 struggle and the individuals who paid the ultimate price for democracy.

“For too many young Nigerians, June 12 is simply a public holiday. This film tells them that our democracy did not arrive by chance. It was fought for. It was defended. It was paid for,” she said.

Musawa described the film as a tribute to the men and women who gave their lives in defence of the June 12 mandate and the democracy Nigerians enjoy today.

She also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his participation in the struggle, noting that he paid a price through exile.

The minister said Nigeria’s creative industry had an important role to play in preserving the country’s history through films and other artistic productions.

“Through film and the creative economy, Nigeria will preserve its history. A nation that forgets its past loses its way to the future. Nigeria has a story and our story deserves to be told,” she said.

Earlier, the documentary’s director, Ose Oyamendan, said the production was dedicated to honouring those who fought for Nigeria’s democracy.

Drawing a connection between the political struggles of the past and present, Oyamendan referenced the late Abiola’s sacrifice and Tinubu’s involvement in the pro-democracy movement.

“There was Hope ’93 and now there is Renewed Hope. There was a man who sacrificed his life so we may have democracy and there is a man who almost lost his life fighting for democracy who is now helping build a lasting democracy,” he said.

He described Abiola and Tinubu as democrats, nationalists and nation builders, urging Nigerians to continue honouring the country’s democratic heroes.

Among dignitaries at the premiere were President Tinubu, First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, and Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.

Governors, members of the National Assembly, ministers and other dignitaries also attended the event.