Noble laurel winner, Prof. Wole Soyinka is to chair the forthcoming NADECO’s 32nd anniversary.
According to a statement on Wednesday, the event will also feature the public presentation of a memoir by Ayo Opadokun, the group’s general secretary.
Some individuals and institutions would also be given awards in recognition of their roles in Nigeria’s pro-democracy struggle.
The commemorative event, scheduled to hold on May 20, at the Shell Hall of the MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos, by 11am, is being organised to commemorate the formation of NADECO, a coalition that played a key role in the struggle for the actualisation of the June 12, 1993 mandate and the return to democratic rule.
Theophilus Danjuma, ex-minister of defence, would be the chief launcher, while Oba Rasheed Ladoja, the Olubadan of Ibadan, will serve as royal father of the day.
According to Opadokun, his memoir titled ‘The NADECO Story’, documents the coalition’s history, ideology, struggles, and milestones.
He said the event is a celebration of “resilience and our dignity as a people”.
“My generation, the present generation and coming generations must eternally uphold NADECO and these heroes as a reference point for resistance to tyranny,” he said.
“People who fail to venerate their heroes will wallow in servitude. We are doing this at this moment, but everyone knows it is long overdue.
“All those personalities and institutions that played a role to plant, water and grow Nigeria’s tree of democracy must not stay dead as unsung heroes or continue to live as unsung heroes.
“They deserve recognition and appreciation. Thankfully, 30 years of this surviving democracy is a testimony that their labours have not been in vain, this being the longest-lasting Republic that this country has ever known. We need to celebrate these heroes and heroines.”
Opadokun said the event is aimed at honouring individuals and institutions that contributed to the struggle during the military era between 1993 and 1996.
Among those listed for recognition are six newspaper organisations, journalists, human rights activists, civil society organisations, academics, professionals, business leaders, retired military officers, and the 54 individuals who signed NADECO’s inaugural communiqué in May 1994, including President Bola Tinubu.
Posthumous awards will also be presented to MKO Abiola and his wife, Kudirat Abiola, as well as NADECO leaders including Adekunle Ajasin, Abraham Adesanya, and Anthony Enahoro.
Opadokun reflected on Nigeria’s democratic journey, saying the struggle remains significant despite current challenges.
“No one has said our country has reached El-Dorado. But we threw everything into the struggle for June 12 and democracy because any civilian regime will always be better than the most benevolent military dictatorship. Nigeria is a work in progress.
“Today may appear cloudy, but tomorrow looks bright. And as sure as the sun shines in the morning, Nigeria will reach the Promised Land.”
