We Miss Many Things About MKO – Neighbours

June 10, 2013 On Wednesday, June 12, 2013, it will be exactly two decades since the historic 1993 presidential elections. Incidentally, July 7 this year, about a month from today, will mark 15 years since the acclaimed winner of the election, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, died in detention five years after it was annulled. In life, the late philanthropist meant different things to different people. His home and the street leading to it, Moshood Abiola Crescent, off Toyin Street, Ikeja, Lagos were a beehive of activities in his lifetime. People of different classes, especially the less privileged, thronged the billionaire businessman’s home daily, to seek favours, alms and food. It is a different picture 15 years after his demise, as the crowd has since disappeared. Moshood Abiola crescent, off Toyin Street, Ikeja, where he lived with his family, seemed to have lost its substance with Abiola’s passage. His house with its expansive grounds, still sits on the crescent but many say it is now a mere shadow of its former self. With a football field, lawn tennis and basketball courts, expansive parking lot that can reportedly take about 100 cars, Abiola’s residence stands out in the area. Before his arrest in 1993, sources said Abiola lived in the palatial residence with about 100 persons, including his four most senior wives, their children, relatives, workers and about 20 security officials. At the time, each of the wives reportedly had about six housekeepers and two drivers and the residence was reputed to be full of excitement and fun each day. Indeed, Abiola and the four wives who were living in the compound with him – the late Mrs. Simbiat Abiola; the late Mrs. Kudirat Abiola; Mrs. Bisi Abiola; and Dr. Doyin Abiola, all had separate apartments. Abiola’s apartment famously sat on a swimming pool, while Simbiat’s was said to be slightly more elevated than the five-bedroom flats each of the other senior wives lived in with their children. Also, about four other wives, including Mrs. Bolatito Sikirat Abiola, had separate houses on the crescent. Some of the long-serving workers of the late politician, who spoke to Saturday PUNCH on condition of anonymity, said in his lifetime, each day had a festive ambience. They recalled that at that time, there was always enough food to eat and drink. Sports personalities were also not left out, given Abiola’s eminent position as the Pillar of Sports in Africa and the founder of the defunct Abiola Babes Football Club. A worker said, “We always had guests: politicians, celebrities, footballers and other personalities. Anytime the Super Eagles won, the players would come here. There was always enough to eat and drink. Many of us didn’t even know there was anything like power supply from NEPA (now Power Holding Company of Nigeria) because the automatic generator would take over without any sign