…Harps On Insecurity
Despite the belated recognition and proclamation of June 12 as the new Democracy Day for the country by the Buhari administration, the significance of that day in Nigeria’s political history has continued to be celebrated by groups, individuals, organizations etc.
One of such groups with remarkable passion for June 12 is the Unity House Foundation, a Port-Harcourt-based non-governmental organization.
Consequently, the Unity House Foundation in a bid to relive and encourage Nigerians to imbibe and retain the essential political and electoral imports of June 12 has instituted an annual June 12 lecture.
Briefing newsmen at the NUJ Press Centre, Port- Harcourt Wednesday, the leadership of Unity House Foundation said the annual lecture is the contribution of a people united in the belief that right is right and wrong is wrong.
In the words of the group: “June 12 was not just an election date. It was the day, Nigerians from East to West, North to South, clearly, courageously and categorically rejected the lies, bigotry and deceit that had characterized our electoral processes and outcomes, the day Nigerians proved wrong the hypotheses that they are not able to look beyond ethnicity and religion in choosing the leaders”.
The Unity Foundation said it is on this premise that it chose the theme for this year’s annual lecture as “National Security: Beyond Power, Politics and Passion” to help focus on one of the challenges that bedevils the nation.
The guest lecturer for this year’s June 12 annual lecture is Prof Eghosa Osaghe, a scholar and Professor of Comparative Politics and the immediate past Vice Chancellor of Igbinedion University.
According to the organizers of the lecture, Prof. Osaghe will be looking at the topic: Insecurity, Bigger Than Recession and Bigger Threat To Democracy”.
The event holds at the Atlantic hall of Hotel Presidential, Port-Harcourt Wednesday, June 12, 2019 under the Chairmanship of Prof. Nelson Brambaifa, acting Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
Recall that Alh. Moshood Abiola of blessed memory was presumed the winner of June 12, 1993 general elections, believed to be the freest in the political history of Nigeria. The result of that election was not released following the annulment of the election by the infamous Ibrahim Babangida administration, prompting a reverberation of revolts, disenchantment and distrust in subsequent elections ever since until recently when President Buhari decided to acknowledge the result of that election, bestowing the highest honour of the land, Grand Commander of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (GCFR) on late Abiola and declaring June 12, as the new democracy day for the country.
GCFR is reserved only for serving and past presidents and heads of Nigerian federal government.
