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Thursday, September 24, 2020

The Significance of June 12 to My Philosophy of Life

It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury neither is it fitting for a slave to rule over princes and when you see princes walking on foot while slaves are riding on horse backs then, there is something wrong somewhere. Pride goes before a fall and anyone who exalts himself would be abased but he that humbles himself would be exalted. This is a universal law and must be respected if we must go far in life. It is the understanding of this fact that makes us have self respect for one another no matter how unqualified or incompetent we think these persons are. Someone may be placed in position of authority, a place of influence or affluence and you may not be happy about it but if God has deemed such a person fit for such positions then, we should hold our peace else, we would find ourselves fighting against God and no one can fight against God and remain the same. His knowledge is vast, his wisdom is profound and no one can battle against him and go unscathed. It is important for you to know that promotion and lifting comes from him and nowhere else (be it North, South, East or West). When we see somebody voted into office or given an opportunity to lead and we decide to say that he or she got there by rigging or partiality etc. I tell you, you are wrong because; it all happened by divine providence and even though, some other factors came in such as rigging and political inclinations, etc., and it looked as though, it was those factors that ensured victory for such a person but it is a lie, it was because God wanted them to rule.

In life, we must come to the point where we realize that whatever we sow, it is that which we shall reap and if you despise people and disrespect them then, know that what goes around comes back around and thus, you shall be disrespected one day. If you refuse to give that which is due to anybody and think that you only played smart then, know that what is your due will also be taken away legitimately from you one day.  A work man is worthy of his wages and no one should muzzle the ox that treads the corn.

Now, we all know what June 12 signifies in Nigeria but just in case you don’t know; let me give you a brief summary of this important date in our country’s history. June 12 has been declared “Nigeria’s Democracy Day” which is a public holiday to commemorate the restoration of democracy in Nigeria. This date was formally “May 29” which represented the official day which brought to an end the decades of military rule that began since 1966. This was when General Olusegun Obasanjo became democratically elected as a civilian Nigeria President in 1999. Thus, May 29 was celebrated as the democracy day until June 6, 2018 when President Muhammadu Buhari official declared June 12 as the new date for the celebration of Democracy Day in Nigeria.


What significant event took place on June 12 that democracy day had to be assigned to it? June 12, 1993 was the first time the military rule from 1966 attempted to be broken because, the politician MKO Abiola won the election but was never declared President of Nigeria by the then military President Ibrahim Babangida and also, imprisoned MKO subsequently because, MKO announced himself to be the President of Nigeria. This MKO later died and to a lot of Nigerians including me, this was an injustice done to humanity and thank God that President Buhari has attempted to correct the wrong by correcting one of the statements made on that day by President Ibrahim Babangida that the elections were unfair to “the freest and fairest elections ever conducted in Nigeria.” This was received with much excitement because, the hearts of many Nigerians that were wounded began to amend and it showed that at least for once, justice can yet be achieved even after the death of a man who was so grossly marginalized.



Now, it is very sad when a man contemplates the gravity of what the denial had to cost this man and the Yoruba people at large. These are the things that makes for division amongst a people dwelling together because, when such things happen, people begin to think that it is because; he or she doesn’t belong to your tribe or ethnicity that he or she was treated unfairly. People who are not so matured in their psychological management of feelings begin to destroy lives and property due to grief and anger of soul that has come upon them. However, I must commend the elder statesman MKO, because while he was still in prison, he refused to allow his followers to fight back or take to the street and destroy lives and property. He said that “Nelson Mandela was also in prison for a long time but he was finally released and he still sat on the seat as the president of South Africa and his case will not be different (paraphrased).”  What a peaceful man, it is quite unfortunate that he couldn’t live to see his yearnings fulfilled. However, the hopes of many people came alive (especially those who heard him affirm these words that “he will see justice one day because, the world is watching”) and true to it, on June 12, 2018; President Muhammadu Buhari declared him the official winner of the June 12, 1993 elections.



Oh! What a day it was for his family and the Yoruba people as a whole. Jubilant screams amid tears of joy filled the whole land and for me, I was consoled because, I hate injustice, marginalization and operation. It is my fame believe that the rights and privileges of all citizens should be given  them regardless of race, class, colour, creed, social and economic standing. The good of the land is for all: God gave us mineral resources, rich agricultural lands and rivers so we can use it for the benefit of all mankind and if a particular sect decides to sit on it as their own without considering others then, it is injustice and oppression to say the very least. This type of behavior has led to a lot of people looting funds belonging to the government or meant for the citizens for their personal aggrandizement (this is callous).



In closing, I say that Nigeria may not yet be there in terms of delivering the full dividends of democracy to her citizens but the declaration of June 12 as the Democracy Day is a right step in the right direction. It goes to say that we should continue to hope and wait patiently even though our rights and privileges are not given yet given us; if you faint not and keep the hope alive, you will get it one day: for the truth can never be hidden. Therefore, arise O compatriots and don’t allow the labours of our heroes past to be in vain. So help us God.

The subject of June 12 cannot be exhaustively discussed in an article like this, we would actually need a book to fully explain the genesis to the revelation of June 12 therefore, let me get your comments in general on June 12. Also, like and share the article if you found it interesting. Thank you

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