Isaac Samuel
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday conferred national honours on dozens of pro-democracy activists, journalists, lawyers and military officers who played prominent roles in the struggle for the restoration of democratic rule in Nigeria.
The announcement was made during his nationwide broadcast to mark the 2026 Democracy Day celebration, where he paid tribute to individuals who, according to him, endured persecution, imprisonment, exile and other hardships in the fight against military rule and the actualisation of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.
Among those honoured were renowned human rights activist Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, veteran columnist Sam Omatseye, broadcaster Babajide Kolade-Otitoju, journalist and activist Richard Akinnola, lawyer and labour activist Femi Aborisade, retired military officer Major-General Ishola Williams, and pro-democracy campaigner Prof. Sylvester Odion-Akhaine.
The President also honoured the late Dr Arthur Nwankwo and Ben Charles-Obi posthumously for their contributions to Nigeria’s democratic struggle.
“I am also pleased to announce national awards to Nigerians who suffered persecution, endured indignities, exile, incarceration and, at times, solitary confinement, so that we have democracy today,” Tinubu said.
Others listed for the honours include Tunde Fagbenle, Oladele Alake, Olatunji Bello, Louis Odion, Segun Babatope, Ademola Osinubi, Bola Bolawole, Lade Bonuola, Femi Kusa, Debo Adeniran, Chief Ayo Opadokun, Chief Ralph Obiora, Ose Osayande, Osa Director, Titus Mann, Joe Igbokwe, George Mbah, Niran Malaolu, Jenkins Alumona, Gbemiga Ogunleye, Muyiwa Adekeye and Ike Okonta.
Tinubu said the awards were meant to recognise Nigerians whose sacrifices helped secure the democratic freedoms currently enjoyed across the country.
The President also extended recognition to military officers who opposed military dictatorship and supported the democratic cause during the June 12 struggle.
Those recognised include the late 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 and Lieutenant Colonel Happy Kefas Bulus, among others.
Tinubu noted that the complete honours list and award categories would be released by the Federal Government in the coming days.
The President used the occasion to reflect on the significance of June 12, describing it as a defining moment in Nigeria’s democratic journey.
He paid tribute to the presumed winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, Chief M.K.O. Abiola, and his wife, Kudirat Abiola, as well as other heroes of the pro-democracy movement, including Gani Fawehinmi, Bola Ige, Alfred Rewane, Abraham Adesanya, Anthony Enahoro, Balarabe Musa, Beko Ransome-Kuti, Frank Kokori, Chima Ubani and Shehu Musa Yar’Adua.
According to Tinubu, the greatest tribute Nigerians can pay to the heroes of June 12 is to strengthen democratic institutions, uphold justice, protect freedom and create opportunities for citizens.
“As beneficiaries of their struggle, we have a duty to strengthen and deepen the democratic institutions for which they fought. 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,” he said.
The President 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 military officer and pro-democracy figure.
Democracy Day is observed annually on June 12 in remembrance of the 1993 presidential election, widely regarded as Nigeria’s freest and fairest poll, won by the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola but annulled by the military government of General Ibrahim Babangida.
The day was officially designated as Nigeria’s Democracy Day in 2018 by late President Muhammadu Buhari.
