New York Names Corner after Kudirat Abiola

by Benson Agoha

Kudirat Abiola Corner: New York Street named after murdered Nigerian Woman

A Street Corner in New York has been named after the assassinated wife of late Chief MKO Abiola.

Alhaja Kudirat Abiola was killed in 1996 as she organised for mass rallies and campaigned for the release of her husband, Chief MKO Abiola, who himself was arrested for declaring himself winner of the June 12, 1996 election.

The election had been annulled by former Military President, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida. But the gun men shot her as she was being driven through a Lagos street.

The shot hit the back of her Mercedes Benz car, pierced the back wind shield and hit her on the head. It was described as a professional job and she died on the spot. Her driver survived.

But the Nigeria Community in New York reported adopted the Corner named after Alhaja Abiola years after her death.

At the time the name of the Corner was seen as a political spat against the Military that did not allow democracy to reign in Nigeria.

It is located between 44th Street East and 2nd Avenue in New York. The Picture (above)  is a popular intersection in New York displaying the sign of the Corner.

by Benson Agoha (with contribution from and Nigerian Camera).