President Bola Tinubu has conferred national honours on scores of Nigerians, including former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, journalists, activists and military officers for their contributions to Nigeria’s democratic struggle.
The President announced the honours during his Democracy Day address on Friday as the nation marked 27 years of uninterrupted democratic governance.
Tinubu said the recipients were recognised for their roles in the fight for democracy, particularly during the struggle that followed the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.
Among the journalists honoured are Lade Bonuola, Femi Kusa, Olatunji Bello, Louis Odion, Segun Babatope, Sam Omatseye, Bola Bolawole, Richard Akinnola, George Mbah, Dr Niran Malaolu, Gbemiga Ogunleye, Muyiwa Adekeye, Babajide Kolade-Otitoju and Ike Okonta.
Others recognised include Barrister Ayoka Lawani, Tunde Fagbenle, Sir Ademola Osinubi, Debo Adeniran, Chief Ayo Opadokun, Chief Ralph Obiora, Ose Osayande, Barrister Osa Director, Prof. Sylvester Odion-Akhaine, Dr Osagie Obayuwana, Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, Barrister Titus Mann and Joe Igbokwe.
Tinubu also honoured the late Dr Arthur Nwankwo and Ben Charles-Obi posthumously for their contributions to the pro-democracy movement.
The President further recognised a group of military officers he described as the “soldier-democrats of the June 12 struggle” for their role in the campaign to restore democratic rule.
Those honoured include Major General M.A. Garba, Brigadier General Lawal Jaafaru Isa, Colonel Umar Farouk Ahmed, Colonel Sambo Dasuki, Colonel Lawan Gwadabe, Brigadier General Jonathan Ndam Temlong, Colonel Musa Shehu, Major General Chris Eze, Major General Harris Dzarma, Colonel Isa Jibrin, Major General Joseph Oshanupin, Colonel Olusegun Oloruntoba, Lieutenant Colonel Happy Kefas Bulus, Colonel J. Okai, Colonel Emmanuel Ndubueze, Lieutenant Colonel Yakubu Muazu and Brigadier Yahaya Abubakar.
Tinubu said the awards were in recognition of the sacrifices made by the recipients, many of whom endured persecution, detention, exile and other hardships in the struggle for democratic governance.
Nigeria celebrates June 12 annually as Democracy Day in honour of the 1993 presidential election widely regarded as the freest and fairest in the country’s history and the subsequent campaign for the restoration of civilian rule.
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