Victor Ezeja
As part of gestures to mark this year’s Democracy Day, Nigeria’s president, Bola Tinubu, has conferred posthumous National Honours on late Mrs Kudirat Abiola; late General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua and late chairman of the defunct National Electoral Commission (NEC), Prof. Humphrey Nwosu, for their roles in the country’s democracy.
They are among the 139 recipients of National Honours announced by the president during his special address to mark the June 12 Democracy Day at a joint sitting of the National Assembly on Thursday.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe late Mrs Kudirat Abiola, who was the wife of the winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, late Chief MKO Abiola, was conferred with the CFR, Maj. Gen. Yar’Adua, who was the older brother of former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, got GCFR, the highest honour in the country. Prof. Nwosu was honoured with GCON, the second-highest National Honour in the country.
Also honoured posthumously were Alhaji Balarabe Musa (CFR), Chief Bola Ige (CFR), Alfred Rewani (CFR), Frank Kokori (CFR), Alao Aka-Bashoru (CFR), Fredrick Fasheun (CFR), Chima Ubani (OON), Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (CON), and Bagauda Kaltho (OON), among others.
The president also conferred the GCON on Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka and General Alani Akinrinade (rtd), in recognition of their struggle for the actualisation of the June 12 election outcome during the military era.
Others honoured for their heroic acts in the country’s democracy include Dare Babarinsa (CON), Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah (CON), Senator Shehu Sani (CON), Governor Uba Sani (CON), Bayo Onanuga (CON), Kunle Ajibade (OON), Femi Falana, SAN (CON), Nosa Igiebor (OON), Dapo Olorunyomi (OON), Ayo Obe (OON), Prof. Shafideen Amuwo (CON), Barrister Luke Aghanenu (OON), Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi (CON).
Others are Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa (CON); former Minister of Information, Labaran Maku (OON); Mr Nick Dazang (OON), Hon Abdul Oroh (OON), Odia Ofeimun (CON), Seye Kehinde (OON), APC National Publicity Secretary, Barrister Felix Morka (CON); Barrister Ledum Mitee (CON), Hon. Olawale Osun (CON), Dr. Amos Akingba (CON), Prof. Segun Gbadegesin (CON), Mobolaji Akinyemi (CFR), Dr. Kayode Shonoiki (CON), Prof. Julius Ihonvbere (CON), Prof. Bayo Williams (CON), Sen. Abu Ibrahim (CFR), and Sen. Ame Ebute (CFR).
The president also conferred CON on Uncle Sam Amuka Pemu, a journalist and publisher of Vanguard newspaper, who will mark his 90th birthday Friday, June 13.
Tinubu also conferred posthumous national honours on Ken Saro-Wiwa (CON), the leader of the Ogoni Nine and his fellows, Saturday Dobee (OON), Nordu Eawo (OON), Daniel Gbooko (OON), Paul Levera (OON), Felix Nuate (OON), Baribor Bera (OON), Barinem Kiobel (OON), and John Kpuine (OON).
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The president emphasised that the National Honours were given in recognition of the outstanding contributions of the heroes who have shaped the country’s democracy.
He said 67 of these honours were awarded posthumously, “acknowledging the enduring legacy of their sacrifices.”
The Nigerian leader stated that he exercised his constitutional powers to grant a presidential pardon to the ‘Ogoni Nine,’ who were also given National Honours.
“I shall also be exercising my powers under the prerogative of mercy to grant these national heroes a full pardon, together with others whose names shall be announced later in conjunction with the National Council of State,” Tinubu stated during his address at the National Assembly.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
