President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced national honours for dozens of Nigerians who played significant roles in the struggle for democracy, describing them as patriots whose sacrifices helped secure the freedoms enjoyed in the country today.
Speaking during his Democracy Day address on Friday, Tinubu said the awardees endured persecution, imprisonment, exile, harassment and other hardships in the fight against military rule and the restoration of democratic governance.
The President said the honours were in recognition of the contributions of activists, journalists, labour leaders, politicians, professionals and other pro-democracy advocates who stood firm during Nigeria’s democratic struggle.
Among those named for the national honours are Barrister Ayoka Lawani, Tunde Fagbenle, Oladele Alake, Olatunji Bello, Louis Odion, Segun Babatope, Sam Omatseye, Sir Ademola Osinubi, Bola Bolawole, Lade Bonuola, Femi Kusa, Debo Adeniran, Chief Ayo Opadokun, Chief Ralph Obiora, Ose Osayande, Barrister Osa Director, Prof. Sylvester Odion-Akhaine, Dr. Osagie Obayuwana, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, Richard Akinnola, Dr. Niran Malaolu, Major-General Ishola Williams (retd), Femi Aborisade, Jenkins Alumona, Gbemiga Ogunleye, Muyiwa Adekeye, Babajide Kolade-Otitoju and Ike Okonta.
The President also posthumously recognised Dr. Arthur Nwankwo and Ben Charles-Obi for their contributions to the democratic struggle.
Tinubu further honoured several military officers whom he described as “soldier-democrats” for their roles during the June 12 movement. They include Major General M.A. Garba, Brigadier General Lawal Jaafaru Isa, Colonel Umar Farouk Ahmed, Colonel Sambo Dasuki, Colonel Lawan Gwadabe, Brigadier Jonathan Ndam Temlong, Colonel Musa Shehu, Major General Chris Eze, Major General Harris Dzarma, Colonel Isa Jibrin, Major General Joseph Oshanupin, Colonel Olusegun Oloruntoba, Lieutenant Colonel Happy Kefas Bulus, Colonel J. Okai, Colonel Emmanuel Ndubueze and Lieutenant Colonel Yakubu Muazu.
The list also includes Brigadier Yahaya Abubakar, the Etsu Nupe and current holder of the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) title.
According to the President, the full honours list and details of the awards will be officially released in the coming days.
Tinubu said the recognition was part of efforts to preserve the legacy of the June 12 struggle and ensure that the sacrifices made by pro-democracy activists are never forgotten.
The President also announced the revitalisation and renaming of the completed Institute of Petroleum Studies in Kaduna as the General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua University of Geological Sciences and Engineering Technology in honour of the late General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua.
He noted that the recognition reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to celebrating individuals whose courage and vision contributed to the emergence and survival of democratic governance in Nigeria.
