MUSAWA SEEKS DEEPER MEANING FOR JUNE 12
Lagos – The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, says June 12 must be remembered beyond a public holiday.
She says June 12 is a sacrifice that gave Nigerians democracy.
Musawa spoke at the premiere of “M-K-O”, a film on Chief Moshood Abiola. The event was held at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts in Lagos to mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence anniversary.
She said 33 years after June 12, 1993, many young Nigerians know it only as a holiday.
Musawa said “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 the film honors the heroes who gave their lives for the June 12 mandate and for democracy.
She praised President Bola Tinubu for his role in the June 12 struggle, saying he paid the price in exile.
The Minister said Nigeria’s creative industry will continue to tell the story of its democracy. She said a nation that forgets its past loses its way to the future.
Earlier, the director of the documentary, Ose Oyamendan, said the film honors heroes who fought for democracy.
Oyamendan said “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”
Top government officials attended the premiere. They include President Bola Tinubu, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, and other governors and ministers.
