President Bola Tinubu has announced national honours for dozens of pro-democracy activists and journalists who played key roles in Nigeria’s struggle for democratic governance.
Speaking during his Democracy Day address, Tinubu paid tribute to the heroes of the June 12 movement, describing their sacrifices as the foundation of Nigeria’s current democratic system.
The President remembered the late Chief MKO Abiola, widely regarded as the winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, as well as Kudirat Abiola and other democracy advocates who fought military rule.
“We pay tribute to patriots who endured persecution, imprisonment, exile, and even death so that future generations could enjoy democracy,” he said.
Tinubu announced that several activists, journalists, lawyers and civil society leaders would receive national honours in recognition of their contributions to democratic governance.
Among those named were Tunde Fagbenle, Segun Babatope, Sam Omatseye, Richard Akinnola, Debo Adeniran, Joe Okei-Odumakin, Babajide Kolade-Otitoju and former PUNCH Managing Director Sir Ademola Osinubi.
The President also recognised a group of military officers whom he described as “soldier-democrats” for supporting the June 12 struggle.
In addition, Tinubu announced the Federal Government’s approval for the revitalisation and renaming of the Institute of Petroleum Studies in Kaduna.
The institution will now be known as the General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua University of Geological Sciences and Engineering Technology in honour of the late military officer and democracy advocate.
Tinubu urged Nigerians to preserve and deepen democratic values, saying the greatest tribute to the heroes of June 12 would be building a nation where freedom, justice, accountability and opportunity thrive.
“The heroes of June 12 secured political freedom. Our challenge is to secure economic freedom,” he said.
He added that Nigeria’s current generation bears the responsibility of transforming democratic gains into widespread prosperity and development.
Full List
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 of the June 12 struggle:
Major General MA Garba
Brigadier General Lawal Jaafaru Isa
Col Umar Farouk Ahmed;
Col Sambo Dasuki;
Col Lawan Gwadabe;
Brigadier Jonathan Ndam Temlong
Col Musa Shehu;
Major General Chris Eze;
Major General Harris Dzarma;
Col Isa Jibrin;
Maj. General Joseph Oshanupin;
Col Olusegun Oloruntoba, Olugbede of Gbede Kingdom)
Lieutenant Colonel Happy Kefas Bulus
Col J Okai;
Col Emmanuel Ndubueze;
Lt Col Yakubu Muazu
Brigadier Yahaya Abubakar, the Current Etsu Nupe, who is already the holder of the CFR title.
