Tinubu honours June 12 heroes, announces National Awards for journalists, activists, others

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

President Bola Tinubu on Friday announced national honours for dozens of pro-democracy activists, journalists, politicians, lawyers, civil society advocates and military officers who played key roles in Nigeria’s struggle for democracy and the validation of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.

The announcement formed part of the President’s Democracy Day address marking 27 years of uninterrupted democratic rule in Nigeria.

Tinubu, in a nationwide broadcast said the recipients suffered persecution, detention, exile, incarceration and other hardships during the struggle against military rule and in the campaign to actualise the mandate believed to have been won by the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola.

“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,” the President said.

Those named for national honours include 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 Arthur Nwankwo (Posthumous), Dr Osagie Obayuwana, Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, Barrister Titus Mann, Joe Igbokwe, Richard Akinnola, Ben Charles-Obi (Posthumous), George Mbah, Dr Niran Malaolu, Major-General Ishola Williams (rtd), Femi Aborisade, Jenkins Alumona, Gbemiga Ogunleye, Muyiwa Adekeye, Babajide Kolade-Otitoju and Ike Okonta.

The President also recognised military officers whom he described as “soldier-democrats” for their roles during the June 12 struggle.

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, the Olugbede of Gbede Kingdom, Lieutenant Colonel Happy Kefas Bulus, Colonel J. Okai, Colonel Emmanuel Ndubueze, Lieutenant Colonel Yakubu Muazu and Brigadier Yahaya Abubakar, the Etsu Nupe and holder of the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) title.

Tinubu used the occasion to pay tribute to several deceased and living figures whose sacrifices helped secure democratic governance in Nigeria.

Among those he remembered were Chief M.K.O. Abiola, Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Chief Bola Ige, Chief Alfred Rewane, Pa Abraham Adesanya, Chief Anthony Enahoro, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, Commodore Dan Suleiman, Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti, Frank Kokori, Arthur Nwankwo, Chima Ubani and General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua.

The President further announced that the Federal Government had approved 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 military officer and pro-democracy figure.

Tinubu said Nigerians who benefited from the sacrifices of the June 12 heroes have a responsibility to strengthen democratic institutions and build a nation where freedom is protected, justice is upheld, opportunities are expanded and government remains accountable.

He disclosed that the full honours list and categories of awards would be released in the coming days.

The President described June 12 as a defining moment in Nigeria’s history and urged citizens to preserve the democratic gains secured through decades of struggle and sacrifice.