By Nasir Kura
President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday re named Abuja National Stadium after late Moshood K. Abiola, acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.
The president made the announcement in an address during the maiden celebration of June 12 as Democracy Day at the Eagle Square in Abuja on Wednesday.
The president, who frowned at the injustice melted against winners of the cancelled 1993 general elections, said his administration would continue to correct injustices in the society.
“As we all know, correcting injustice is a pre-requisite for peace and unity. As part of the process of healing and reconciliation, I approved the recognition of June 12 as Democracy Day and invested the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola and Babagana Kingibe with National Honours, as I did with the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi.
“The purpose was to partially atone for the previous damage done in annulling the Presidential elections of that year. Today, I propose the re-naming of the Abuja National Stadium. Henceforth it will be called Moshood Abiola National Stadium,’’ he said.
On the development of the nation’s infrastructural facilities, the president said dedicated agro-industrial processing zones would be developed on a PPP basis to increase farming yields, agricultural productivity and industrial output.
According to him, over 2,000 kilometers of ongoing Federal road and bridge projects across the country would be completed to reduce journey times and the cost of doing business.
“As I mentioned earlier, critical feeder roads will be built to facilitate easier transportation for people and goods from rural areas to major roads.
“We are at advanced stages of securing investments to modernize and expand our transmission and distribution infrastructure, ensuring that electricity is available and affordable for all Nigerians.
“Several rail, seaport and airport projects are at various stages of completion. We will open the arteries of transportation nationwide.
“It is a fact that Nigeria has more gas reserves than it has oil. Over the last four years, we have become a net exporter of urea, which is made from natural gas. We invite investors to develop more natural gas-based petrochemical projects,’’ he said.
