The Education Resource Center of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria has approved the book, “Nigeria’s Aborted 3rd Republic and the June 12 Debacle: Journalists’ Account” for public and library use.
The letter of approval FCT/ERC/CG/16/1/759 by Mrs. Safiya B. Saleh who signed for the Director of the FCT Education Resource Centre informed the authors and political correspondents of 1985-1993 that “your book has been assessed and found to be good for public and Library use.”
The approval followed assessment based on the “FCT Triennial Book Review which was completed in May 2022 and the approved List of Books for 2022- 2025 endorsed by the FCT Minister, published and is in use currently.”
“This is a major landmark and achievement by Nigerian journalists. It is an indication that labor to these great heroes and heroines to their fatherland and the journalism profession was never in vain,” said Deba Uwadiae, a representative of the authors.
Nigeria’s Aborted 3rd Republic and the June 12 Debacle: Journalists’ Account, is an account of events witnessed by 29 political journalists during the era of General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (1985-1993) and was launched in Abuja in September 2022.
The 242-page book is segmented into five sections, including the National Association of Political Correspondents, NAPOC at the Beginning, Intrigues, Interventions, Interviews and Retrospection.
The significance of June 12, which is now a national public holiday in Nigeria was the annulment of the 1993 Presidential election where late Bashorun MKO Abiola was acclaimed the winner. He later died in detention while awaiting to claim his mandate.
The foreword to the book was written by the former spokesperson of the National Electoral Commission, NEC, Prof. Tonnie Iredia, while a frontline Nigerian columnist Olusegun Adeniyi wrote the introduction.
The authors, all political journalists at the time and members of the National Association of Political Correspondents, NAPOC include Cordelia (Nwulu) Ukwuoma, Lawal Ogienagbon, Gboyega Amoboye., Emeka Nwosu, PhD., Segun Olanipekun, PhD, Deba Uwadiae, Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, Ph.D, Akin A. Onipede, Sina Ogunbambo, Mikail Mumuni, Bosun Oluwabusayomi, Bisi Onanuga, Gbenga Onayiga, Bola Ojuola and Abiodun Adeniyi, Ph.D.
Others are Felix Oboagwina, Kunle Oyatomi, Olusegun Adeniyi, Ike Abonyi, Isa Husaini, Stella Benjamin, Yemisi Fadairo, Sufuyan Ojeifo, Idowu John Bakare, Chief (Mrs.) Moni Abudu (neé Adebayo), Jide Ajani, Imoni Imarere, Chuks Ohuegbe and Osaretin Imahiyereobo.
The books are available in major digital platforms, bookstores including barnsandnobles, and also Rovingheights bookstore in Nigeria.
