Type Statue Condition Erect Created 7 July 2008 Year 7 July 2008 | Medium Concrete
marble
bronze Artist Bunmi Babatunde Owner Lagos State Government | |
Location Ojota, Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria | ||
The MKO Abiola Statue is a monumental statue designed and erected by Bunmi Babatunde in memory of Chief Moshood Abiola, a politician who was widely regarded as the winner of the inconclusive 1993 Nigerian elections. Standing at about 9 feet 8 inches tall, the statue was unveiled on 7 July 2008 during the administration of Governor Babatunde Fashola.
Contents
Background
Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, popularly referred to as MKO Abiola (24 August 1937 – 7 July 1998) was a businessman, publisher and politician. He contested for the presidency at the 1993 Nigeria elections and was widely regarded as the winner although the final results weren't released. In 1994, he was arrested and detained in prison on charges of treason after declaring himself as the President of Nigeria. MKO Abiola died on 7 July 1998, the day he was due to be released from prison. His death was trailed by suspicious circumstances, while an official autopsy stated that Abiola died of heart attack, General Sani Abacha's Chief Security Officer said Abiola was beaten to death.
Purpose
In remembrance of the life, exploits and legacy set by Abiola, the Lagos State Government through former Governor Babatunde Fashola unveiled the MKO Abiola Statue on 7 July 2008 – exactly ten years after his death – in Ojota, a suburb of Lagos. Bola Tinubu, a former Governor of Lagos State commended the initiative by Babatunde Fashola in “keeping the spirit of development in Lagos alive”.
Structural description
Located at the heart of the "MKO Gardens" and standing at about 9ft 8inches tall, the MKO Abiola Statue is mounted on a concrete pedestal. The sculpture – made of bronze – shows a smiling Abiola wearing a flowing agbada with his two hands raised above chest level. The MKO Abiola Statue was first designed in 2003 before it was re-designed to its current state.