Democracy Day: Tinubu Honours June 12 Heroes, Announces National Awards for Pro-Democracy Activists, Journalists

ABUJA, Nigeria — President Bola Tinubu has announced national honours for dozens of pro-democracy activists, journalists, politicians, lawyers, academics and military officers in recognition of their roles in Nigeria’s struggle for democratic rule.

The announcement formed part of the president’s Democracy Day address on Thursday as Nigeria marked 27 years of uninterrupted civilian governance since the return to democracy in 1999.

Tinubu said the recipients suffered persecution, imprisonment, exile, harassment and other forms of victimisation during the struggle against military rule and the campaign to actualise the June 12, 1993 presidential election won by the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (M.K.O.) Abiola.

“Today, we honour the resilience of Nigerians who refused to surrender their faith in freedom, and the courage of those who stood firm against intimidation,” the president said.

“We pay tribute to patriots who endured persecution, imprisonment, exile, and even death so that future generations could enjoy democracy.”

The president paid special tribute to several icons of the pro-democracy movement, including M.K.O. Abiola, Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, Gani Fawehinmi, Bola Ige, Alfred Rewane, Abraham Adesanya, Anthony Enahoro, Balarabe Musa, Dan Suleiman, Beko Ransome-Kuti, Frank Kokori, Arthur Nwankwo, Chima Ubani and Shehu Musa Yar’Adua.

Tinubu also announced the renaming of the 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 democracy advocate.

Honourees

The president named the following individuals for national honours:

• 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
• Ike Okonta

Soldier-Democrats Recognised

Tinubu also honoured military officers who played notable roles during the June 12 struggle, describing them as “soldier-democrats” who stood on the side of democracy during one of Nigeria’s most turbulent political periods.

Those recognised 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, Olugbede of Gbede Kingdom
• Lieutenant Colonel Happy Kefas Bulus
• Colonel J. Okai
• Colonel Emmanuel Ndubueze
• Lieutenant Colonel Yakubu Muazu
• Brigadier Yahaya Abubakar, the Etsu Nupe and current holder of the CFR title

The president said the complete honours list and details of the awards would be released by the federal government in the coming days.

Tinubu urged Nigerians to preserve the democratic values secured through the sacrifices of the June 12 movement, saying the greatest tribute to the heroes of democracy would be to build a nation where freedom, justice, accountability and economic opportunity are guaranteed for all citizens.

“As beneficiaries of their struggle, we have a duty to strengthen and deepen the democratic institutions for which they fought,” he said.

“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.”

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A Lagos-based journalist with a passion for disseminating factual information and a deep appreciation for good music, good food, movies, and beautiful cars. He hopes to travel the world someday, documenting its beauty and diverse cultures through his storytelling.