Tinubu honours late Ogoni heroes with national awards

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has conferred posthumous national honours on four prominent Ogoni leaders, decades after their deaths in the struggle for justice and equality in the Niger Delta.

Those honoured are Chief Edward Kobani (CON), Chief Albert Badey (CON), Chief Samuel Orage (CON), and Chief Theophilus Orage (CON).

The men, often referred to as “Ogoni heroes,” played significant roles in the agitation for the rights of the Ogoni people before they were killed in 1994 during the height of the region’s crisis.

Their recognition comes nearly 30 years after their deaths, a move the presidency says is aimed at acknowledging their sacrifice and contribution to the Nigerian state.

The honour is also seen as a strong message of reconciliation to the Ogoni people, who have long demanded justice for the killing of their leaders.

With the conferment, the late chiefs now join the list of Nigerians whose names have been etched into history for service and sacrifice.