The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, Esq., has called on Nigerians to remember June 12 not merely as a public holiday but as a defining sacrifice in the country’s struggle for democracy.

 Musawa made the call at the national premiere of MKO, an investigative documentary on the life and legacy of the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, held at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts in Lagos as part of activities marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary.

 The Minister noted that 33 years after the June 12, 1993 presidential election, many young Nigerians know the date mainly as a public holiday, stressing that the documentary would help reconnect a new generation with the history and sacrifices behind Nigeria’s democratic journey.

 “For too many young Nigerians, June 12 is simply a public holiday. This film tells them that our democracy did not arrive by chance. It was fought for. It was defended. It was paid for,” Musawa said.

 She described the documentary as a tribute to the men and women who sacrificed their lives in defence of the June 12 mandate and the democratic system Nigerians enjoy today.

 Musawa also acknowledged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the chief host of the event, for his participation in the June 12 struggle and the sacrifices associated with his years in exile.

 She said Nigeria’s creative industry had an important role to play in preserving the nation’s democratic history and ensuring that significant chapters of the country’s past were passed on to future generations.

 “Through film and the creative economy, Nigeria will preserve its history. A nation that forgets its past loses its way to the future. Nigeria has a story and our story deserves to be told,” she said.

 Earlier, the director of the documentary, Ose Oyamendan, said MKO was produced to honour and preserve the memory of the heroes who fought for democracy in Nigeria.

 Oyamendan drew parallels between the political struggles of the past and the country’s present democratic experience, recalling the role played by Chief MKO Abiola in the June 12 struggle and President Tinubu’s participation in the pro-democracy movement.

 “There was Hope ’93 and now there is Renewed Hope. There was a man who sacrificed his life so we may have democracy and there is a man who almost lost his life fighting for democracy who is now helping build a lasting democracy,” he said.

 He described Abiola and Tinubu as democrats, nationalists, nation builders and leaders, while urging Nigerians to preserve the memory of those who contributed to the country’s democratic development.

 “We must never forget our story. We must always honour and remember our heroes,” Oyamendan added.

 The premiere was attended by top government officials and other distinguished personalities, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu; Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas; Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila; state governors; members of the National Assembly; ministers and other dignitaries.

 The event underscored the role of the creative industry in documenting Nigeria’s history and preserving the stories of individuals and movements that shaped the country’s democratic experience.