• Kokori, Ndubuisi Kanu, Ebute, Onanuga also
From Adesuwa Tsan, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu yesterday conferred national honours on 84 prominent Nigerians including include rights activists, pro-democracy and environmental rights crusaders, members the the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), journalists, former public servants, and other individuals, both living and deceased, in recognition of their sacrifices to Nigeria’s political freedom.
Tinubu made the disclosure during a joint session of the legislature to mark the June 12 Democracy Day celebrations. Out of the 84 honourees, 34 were recognised posthumously, with 46 individuals and 4 presiding officers of the National Assembly (already awarded earlier).
Prof. Wole Soyinka, Femi Falana, Senator Shehu Sani, Sam Amuka and Governor Uba Sani were among the honorees.
Those honoured posthumously included Kudirat Abiola, wife of the late Chief MKO Abiola, Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, Chief Bola Ige, Humphrey Nwosu, Frank Kokori and Ken Saro-Wiwa and his Ogoni 9 cohorts. “Democracy thrives because certain individuals chose to make sacrifices at critical times in our nation’s history,” President Tinubu declared during the joint parliamentary sitting. “Today, we honour them—not just for what they did, but for what their actions symbolise.”
The posthumous honours also came with a full presidential pardon for the Ogoni environmental rights activists, as Tinubu announced: “I shall also be exercising my powers under the prerogative of mercy to grant these national heroes a full pardon… in conjunction with the National Council of State.
“In this light,” Tinubu said, “let us rededicate ourselves to the ideals of June 12: freedom, transparent and accountable government, social justice, active citizen participation, and a just society where no one is oppressed.”
Posthumous honourees included Chief Kudirat Abiola (CFR) – Heroine of the June 12 struggle, Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (GCFR), Prof. Humphrey Nwosu (CON), Rear Adm. Ndubuisi Kanu (CON), Alhaji Balarabe Musa (CFR), Pa Alfred Rewane (CFR), Bagauda Kaltho (OON), Chima Ubani (OON), Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti (CON), Alao Aka Bashorun (CON) and Chief Frank Kokori (CON).
Others are Emma Ezeazu (OON), Bamidele Aturu (OON), Fredrick Fasehun (CON), Prof. Festus Iyayi (CON), Dr. John Yima Sen (OON), Alhaja Sawaba Gambo (CON), Dr. Edwin Madunagu (CON), Dr. Alex Ibru (CON), Chief Bola Ige (CFR), Pa Reuben Fasoranti (CFR), Sen. Ayo Fasanmi (CON), Sen. Polycarp Nwite (CON), Dr. Nurudeen Olowopopo (CON), Ken Saro-Wiwa (CON), 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).
Living honourees included Prof. Wole Soyinka (GCON), Prof. Olatunji Dare (CON) – Noted journalist and educator, Kunle Ajibade (OON) – Journalist, Nosa Igiebor (OON), Dapo Olorunyomi (OON), Bayo Onanuga (CON), Ayo Obe (OON), Dare Babarinsa (CON), Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah (CON), Sen. Shehu Sani (CON) and Gov. Uba Sani (CON).
They also included Femi Falana (CON), Prof. Shafideen Amuwo (CON), Barrister Luke Aghanenu (OON), Sen. Tokunbo Afikuyomi (CON), Hon. Labaran Maku (OON), Dr. Tunji Alausa (CON), Mr. Nick Dazang (OON), Hon. Abdul Oroh (OON), Odia Ofeimun (CON) and Seye Kehinde (OON), Barrister Felix Morka (CON), 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), Sen. Ameh Ebute (CFR) and Uncle Sam Amuka Pemu (CON) — Legendary journalist, marking his 90th birthday on June 13.
Presiding National Assembly officers who were earlier-awarded honours are Senate President Godswill Obot Akpabio – GCON, House of Representatives Speaker Abbas Tajudeen – GCON, Deputy Senate President Jibrin Ibrahim Barau – CFR and Deputy Speaker Benjamin Okezie Kalu – CFR.
