Labour Party candidate in 2019 gubernatorial election in Kwara state, Comrade Issa Aremu has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to accord posthumous honour to Squadron Leader Bello Baba-Ari who died last Friday following the collision of two jets belonging to the Nigerian Air Force as part of the activities marking Independence Day in 2018.
Two jets belonging to the Nigerian Air Force on Friday September 28, suffered a midair collision at the Katampe area of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, which claimed the life of one of the pilots, Squadron Leader Bello Baba-Ari while two co-pilots were injured and currently receiving treatment. The aircrafts were said to be taking part in the rehearsals for the 58th Independent Day celebration when collision occurred.
At the LP 58th Anniversary activities in Ilorin, on Monday Comrade Aremu said the late pilot and injured ones symbolized patriotism worthy of emulation by all Nigerians. He said there was the need to celebrate nation-hood with high spirit as the air force men gallantly did. He condemned some governors who according to him had stepped down celebration of independence day “even as they indulged in marking their birthdays and weddings of their children with fanfare with scarce state resources”. Comrade Aremu said it was time leaders with appreciation of the nation’s sense of history were elected to office.
“For well over a century, (precisely from the brutal occupation of Lagos in 1861 to 1960) via a combination of brute force and cunning, the British colonialists had subdued different regions of the present day Nigeria for greater imperial domination and exploitation. Liberation and independence from unfreedom certainly calls for annual celebration” he said. He promised to revive the old traditions of celebration of important landmark dates in nation building in Kwara state.
“Celebrating Nigerian sovereignty and showcasing its strengths and achievements with mass participation of all Nigerians in their robust diversity must be an annual event. Nigeria and Nigerians must be encouraged to keep date with October 1st every year to keep our history and nationhood alive”
Comrade Aremu observed Kwara state needs “second liberation and independence” from what he called “internal colonialists and oppressors” who he accused of running non-inclusive government that has impoverished mass of people in the state. He called for coalition of progressive forces of change with unity of purpose adding that 2019 elections offered opportunities for a new qualitative change in Kwara state.
