President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday announced national honours for dozens of pro-democracy activists, journalists, politicians and retired military officers who played key roles in Nigeria’s struggle against military rule and the restoration of democratic governance.
The announcement was one of the major highlights of his Democracy Day address, during which he paid tribute to individuals who endured imprisonment, harassment, exile and other forms of persecution in the fight to defend the June 12, 1993 mandate and democratic freedoms.
“I am also pleased to announce national awards to the following Nigerians, who suffered persecution, endured indignities, exile, incarceration, and, at times, solitary confinement, so that we have democracy today,” Tinubu said.
Among those recognised were veteran journalists and media figures including Tunde Fagbenle, Oladele Alake, Olatunji Bello, Louis Odion, Segun Babatope, Sam Omatseye, Bola Bolawole, Femi Kusa, Gbemiga Ogunleye, Muyiwa Adekeye and Babajide Kolade-Otitoju.
The honours list also featured several prominent civil rights advocates and pro-democracy campaigners such as Debo Adeniran, Chief Ayo Opadokun, Chief Ralph Obiora, Prof. Sylvester Odion-Akhaine, Dr Osagie Obayuwana, Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, Richard Akinnola, Femi Aborisade and Ike Okonta.
Tinubu further recognised some individuals posthumously, including Dr Arthur Nwankwo and Ben Charles-Obi, for their contributions to the democratic struggle.
The President also reserved special recognition for military officers he described as “soldier-democrats” who stood on the side of democracy during one of Nigeria’s most turbulent political periods.
Those listed include Major General M.A. Garba, Brigadier General Lawal Jaafaru Isa, Colonel Umar Farouk Ahmed, Colonel Sambo Dasuki, Colonel Lawan Gwadabe, Brigadier General Jonathan Ndam Temlong, Major General Chris Eze, Major General Harris Dzarma, Colonel Isa Jibrin, Major General Joseph Oshanupin and Brigadier Yahaya Abubakar, the Etsu Nupe.
According to the President, the full details of the honours and award categories will be released in the coming days.
Tinubu said the recognition was part of efforts to preserve the legacy of those who sacrificed personal comfort and safety to secure the democratic freedoms Nigerians enjoy today.
He also paid tribute to key figures of the June 12 struggle, including Chief M.K.O. Abiola and Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, whose names remain closely associated with the campaign to validate the annulled 1993 presidential election.
The President additionally remembered notable democracy advocates such as Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Chief Bola Ige, Chief Alfred Rewane, Pa Abraham Adesanya, Chief Anthony Enahoro, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti, Frank Kokori, Chima Ubani and Shehu Musa Yar’Adua.
In a related announcement, Tinubu disclosed that the Federal Government had approved the revitalisation and renaming of the Institute of Petroleum Studies in Kaduna in honour of the late Shehu Musa Yar’Adua.
The institution, he said, will now be known as the General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua University of Geological Sciences and Engineering Technology, in recognition of Yar’Adua’s contributions to national development and democratic advancement.
As Nigeria marked 27 years of uninterrupted democratic rule, the President said the sacrifices of June 12 heroes should inspire current and future generations to strengthen democratic institutions and uphold the values for which they fought.
“We have a duty to strengthen and deepen the democratic institutions for which they fought. The greatest tribute we can pay is to build a Nigeria where freedom is protected, justice is upheld, opportunity is expanded, and government is accountable,” Tinubu said.