BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

Today marks 32 years since the historic Nigerian presidential election of June 12, 1993—an election widely regarded as the most credible in the nation’s history. At its heart stood Bashorun MKO Abiola, a towering figure in Nigerian public life whose legacy continues to resonate in both politics and sports.

Despite widespread pre-election challenges—including fuel shortages, a media blackout, and deliberate attempts to incite unrest—Nigerians turned out en masse to vote, transcending ethnic, religious, and social boundaries. Much of this unity was inspired by Abiola’s unifying campaign, “Hope ‘93”, and the credibility he brought through his pan-Nigerian identity, philanthropy, and deep-rooted support for the masses.

One of his most enduring legacies was his lifelong commitment to sports, often described as the “opium of the masses.” No individual in Africa has been more closely associated with the advancement of sports on the continent than MKO Abiola.

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Africa’s Pillar of Sports

In 1980, the African Sports Journalists Union (ASJU) awarded Abiola the unique title of “Africa’s Pillar of Sports“—a distinction no one else has held since. His support for sports was vast and pan-African, encompassing not just Nigeria but 14 other countries, including Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Tunisia, and Zambia.

In January 1992, during a ceremony in Dakar, Senegal, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) inducted Abiola into its Hall of Fame, bestowing upon him its Order of Merit in Gold—CAF’s highest honour. On that occasion, Abiola also donated and endowed the CAF Cup trophy with $100,000, further solidifying his role as one of Africa’s greatest sports philanthropists.

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A Life Deeply Interwoven with Sports

Unlike many business and political leaders, Abiola’s devotion to sports was unwavering. He sponsored events, clubs, and athletes across various disciplines and countries. Yet, his foray into politics in the early 1990s ultimately overshadowed his contributions to sports, cutting short a golden era of private-sector support.

The annulment of the June 12 election by General Ibrahim Babangida’s military regime set off a chain of political crises. Abiola, who had won the election, was arrested and detained for over a year as he insisted on his right to the presidency. He died in detention on July 7, 1998, under unclear circumstances.

It wasn’t until 2018 that June 12 was officially recognized as Nigeria’s Democracy Day, replacing May 29.

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January 11, 1993: The Quiet Prelude to June 12

Before June 12 came January 11, 1993, a lesser-known but significant moment in Nigeria’s political history—and in Abiola’s personal journey.

I was part of MKO Abiola’s delegation to Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, for the inaugural CAFSuper Cup match between Africa Sports and Wydad AC of Morocco. The match, attended by CAF President Issa Hayatou, was preceded by discussions about donating a new trophy on behalf of President Babangida for the continental U-17 football tournament. The “Renaissance Cup”, designed by Patrick Okpomo, was born.

Earlier, I had submitted the design for the CAF Cup, which featured a gold-plated map of Africa on a stylised base—produced in Germany, just like the Renaissance Cup. That night at Sofitel Hôtel Ivoire, Okpomo and I were tasked with drafting a speech for Babangida’s formal presentation of the trophy to CAF. When asked how much to include as the president’s endowment, Abiola—true to form—quoted a Yoruba proverb: “You can’t shave a man’s head in his absence.” He left the amount blank and faxed the speech to the State House.

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A Turn of Events in Abuja

Two days later, we boarded Abiola’s private jet to Abuja with Hayatou and other Cameroonian officials. Also on board were journalists Paul Bassey and Tony Nezianya (NAN). It was my first visit to the Aso Rock Presidential Villa.

At the event, Babangida formally presented the Renaissance Cup. But what followed shocked us: he announced the re-composition of the Local Organising Committee(LOC) for the postponed 1995 FIFA U-20 World Cup and removed MKO Abiola as head of the Presidential Monitoring Committee (PMC), replacing him with Major General Yohanna Kure.

Had Abiola fallen out of favour? We were left to speculate.

After the ceremony, Abiola informed us of a change in plans. Quoting another proverb—“When two logs fall on each other, you attend to the one on top”—he instructed that travel arrangements be altered. Dr. Doyin Abiola (his wife and Managing Director of Concord Press) was to ensure CAF officials got to Dakar. Three days later, Abiola returned to Lagos and declared his presidential ambition.

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From Calabar to Barcelona: The Long Road to Politics

Back in 1990, during the Nigeria Universities Games (NUGA) in Calabar, I asked Abiola if he would consider running for office again. He said his wife, Simbiat, a fellow sports enthusiast, would never approve.

Her passing in 1992 marked a turning point. In light of the repeated delays in the transition programme, I asked if he believed Babangida genuinely intended to hand over power. Abiola replied with a cryptic proverb:

“It’s like a man who claims he has no interest in a woman but gets agitated when another man courts her.”
It was clear that he remained cautious, yet hopeful.

I recall another conversation during the Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games, when the political climate in Nigeria was tense and uncertain. Abiola remained a loyal interpreter of Babangida’s shifting actions, always trying to make sense of the unfolding drama.

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Legacy and Loss

Abiola’s death in 1998 shocked the world. Yet his contributions to sports and democracy endure. For many, June 12 represents not just a stolen mandate. It is also a national aspiration. Abiola remains its most potent symbol.

In sports, his legacy remains unmatched. In politics, he is remembered not just as a martyr of democracy. He is also remembered as a man of vision, passion, and immense generosity.

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Morocco advocated Thursday before the Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU-PSC) for an ethical, responsible, beneficial, and sovereign African AI.

“The future of AI in Africa can’t sidestep the need to build an African AI, by Africa and for Africa. The AI we want must be ethical, responsible, and adapted to our realities,” Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Expatriates Nasser Bourita stressed in a speech delivered via videoconference to the AU-PSC Ministerial Meeting, which Morocco holds chairmanship for March, on “Artificial Intelligence and its Impact on Peace, Security, and Governance in Africa.”

In this context, the Minister, who chairs this ministerial Meeting, called for mobilization and collective action to make AI a true lever for development, peace, and security for Africans.

Aware of this reality, Morocco, under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, is committed to contributing to Africa’s boom in the field of AI, Bourita stated, reaffirming the Kingdom’s strong and dynamic commitment to the emergence of a united African leadership in AI.

Highlighting the challenges and opportunities that AI presents for the African continent, the Minister pointed out that while AI is a tool for development and progress for humanity, it is also a double-edged sword because, if misused, it could worsen divisions, fuel instability, and serve as a tool for the most destructive non-state actors.

The figures are telling: a 900% surge in deepfake videos since 2019, a 300% rise in AI-driven cyberattacks between 2019 and 2022, and 40% of terrorist groups have already used autonomous drones in their attacks. Additionally, 47 countries were affected by disinformation campaigns in 2023, directly impacting their democratic processes.

In the face of these challenges, Bourita underscored the need for Africa to position itself as a key player in the global governance of AI.

The Minister also reminded that AI not only involves security and stability challenges, but is also an astounding driver of economic growth. By 2030, AI is expected to inject $15.7 trillion into the global economy, increase agricultural production by 10 to 15%, and accelerate the growth rate of certain countries by 40%, he pointed out.

However, Bourita noted that Africa must overcome structural gaps to fully harness AI’s potential, adding that 60% of Africa’s population currently still lacks internet access, less than 2% of the data used in AI is sourced from Africa, and only 1% of the global AI talent is based in Africa.

To address this, Morocco suggested a series of concrete measures, including the creation of an African AI Fund, the establishment of a pan-African strategy for data collection and valorization, and the launch of a massive training program to build an African elite in AI.

Bourita also recalled that the Kingdom, a pioneer in AI on the continent, has already taken significant initiatives: the “Digital Morocco 2030” strategy aiming to train 100,000 talents annually, the launch, two weeks ago, of a national program to introduce children to AI, and the establishment of the first African UNESCO AI center, “Ai Movement,” based in Rabat.

 On the international front, Morocco has also played a key role in the adoption of the first UN resolutions on AI and co-founded the Group of Friends on Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Development, which brings together over 70 countries, he stated.

In his speech, Bourita also called for coordinated and concrete African action, stressing that “inaction is our common enemy.”

In this regard, the Kingdom has put forward the institutionalization of a network of African national AI centers and the establishment of a panel of African experts to support the implementation of the continental strategy.

Finally, Bourita reaffirmed Morocco’s willingness to work hand in hand with its African partners to make AI a tool for development and stability.

“Africa must believe in its ability to take its destiny into its own hands,” Bourita said, quoting His Majesty King Mohammed VI.

The Minister concluded by stating that “AI will not wait for us to be ready. It is already here, reshaping power dynamics. The choice is simple: either we unite to master this transformation, or we will suffer the consequences.”

-MAP

Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo has welcome the United Arab Emirates (UAE) flag carrier Emirates flight back to Nigeria after a two-year break.

Emirates landed in  Lagos last week after it stopped operation to Nigeria over diplomatic impasse and non-repatriation on its revenues then.

That now is a tale of the past as Nigeria’s aviation minister, Keyamo has expressed gratitude over the resolution of the impasse.

 “Thank you for coming back to stay. You are not going away again. Going forward, our relationship will expand beyond resumption of flights”, the minister remarked.

“There are other things we can do that are mutually beneficial to both countries”, Keyamo further stated.