Hafsat Abiola, daughter of the late MKO Abiola, has expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for posthumously honouring her parents with national awards.
On Democracy Day, Tinubu conferred the national honour of Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) on the late Kudirat Abiola, the wife of Abiola.
Kudirat was assassinated in 1996 for her vocal activism demanding the validation of the June 12 presidential election, which her husband, MKO Abiola, was widely believed to have won.
The June 12 election is regarded as the freest and fairest presidential poll in the history of Nigeria but was annulled by the former military president Ibrahim Babangida.
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Kudirat’s recognition by Tinubu underscores her contributions to the restoration of democracy in Nigeria.
In a statement on Friday, Hafsat commended Tinubu for recognising her mother’s efforts in restoring democracy to the country.
“I wish to thank President Tinubu for the conferment of national honour on my late mother Kudirat Abiola over her June 12 struggle,” the statement reads.
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“There are no words to adequately express the depth of gratitude I feel at PresidentTinubu’s posthumous conferment of the merit of CFR on my mum, Kudirat Abiola.
“She was guided both by love and a sense of duty to defend her husband’s mandate and to work with many across the country for the restoration of democracy.
“Yet, I have no doubt that she would have been overwhelmed with joy to be so honoured, even in death.
“I thank Mr President for deeming her worthy of this recognition and for the gift of witnessing the conferment of national honours on so many of the heroes and heroines of the June 12 struggle.
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“May the conferment of these awards strengthen our collective resolve to respond to the calls for national service.”
