Gov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State on Thursday inaugurated a park in Ikeja, and named it after retired Rear Admiral Ndubusi Kanu, a former governor of the state.
Speaking at the inauguration, Fashola said he named the park after Kanu in recognition of his service to the state and his consistent role in promoting the ideals of June 12, 1993 elections.
The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the new park created on a land area of 17,195 sq metres, has trees, playing ground, a multi-purpose hall, garden seats and lights, walkways and a parking lot.
Fashola said: ``Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu has been a long distance runner in his choice and commitments he made 21 years ago.
``Year on year as I can remember, I cannot remember any June 12 anniversary that he did not participate in.
``All office bearers today across the country must continue to remember that if those who stood up for democracy did not do so, we may not be office bearers today.
``Therefore, I dedicate this park in honour of Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu, not only for his service to the state as one of my predecessors, but also for his support for democracy, ‘’he said.
Fashola said that the creation of the park as well as the other ones in the state was one of the government`s strategies to create opportunities and mitigate the negative impact of climate change.
Responding, Kanu said the naming of the park after him came as a surprise, he thanked the governor for the gesture and dedicated the structure to all those who stood for democracy.
He said that he had always seen and admired the park even when it was under construction but could not have imagined it would be named after him on completion.
Ealier, Mr Tunji Bello, the Commissioner for Environment said the park, apart from enhancing the aesthetics of Alausa and its environment, it was created to provide a cool relaxation place for residents.
In Osogbo, Gov. Rauf Aregbesola stressed the need to nurture true democracy in Nigeria, to enable the country stabilise and develop the existing structure.
``The annulment of June 12 by the then military dictatorship had really affected the country both economically and politically.
``Retrogressive forces are also working hard to see that true democracy is truncated and such heinous act must not repeat itself again in Nigeria,’’ Aregbesola said.
Dr Afolabi Samuel, a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Political Science, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), called on election stakeholders to ensure that all the votes count during elections.
Samuel that said Nigerians needed to engage in mass participation in the political process and ensure access to their civic right.
He said that with what happened on June 12, 1993, ``there is the need to re-visit the problems and prospects of free and fair elections in order to ensure credibility of future exercises."
The university teacher however called on the people to monitor their votes and ensure that no politician would lure them into selling their right to vote.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that former military president retired Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, on June 23, 1993 annulled the June 12, 1993 presidential election.
The election was believed to have been won by Chief Moshood Abiola, a business mogul.
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