Gladness Gideon
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has conferred national honours on a distinguished list of Nigerians, recognising their contributions to the country’s democratic development, human rights advocacy, and national service. The honours, announced on Thursday as part of the 2025 Democracy Day commemorations, included both living recipients and posthumous awardees.
Foremost among the honourees is Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, honoured for his unwavering commitment to justice and democratic ideals.
Also recognised were prominent human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) and Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah, for their decades-long activism and advocacy for good governance.
The awards also paid tribute to key figures in the June 12 democratic struggle. Kudirat Abiola, wife of the late Chief Moshood Abiola, was posthumously awarded the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) for her bravery and sacrifice in the quest to validate the 1993 presidential election.
Other posthumous recipients include Major General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (GCFR), Prof. Humphrey Nwosu (CON), Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (CON), and environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa (CON), along with his fellow Ogoni Nine, who were granted full presidential pardons.
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Among the living honourees were veteran journalist Prof. Olatunji Dare (CON), Kunle Ajibade (OON), Dapo Olorunyomi (OON), Bayo Onanuga (CON), Ayo Obe (OON), and Uncle Sam Amuka Pemu (CON), the founder of Vanguard Newspapers, who will mark his 90th birthday on June 13.
Other notable recipients include Senator Shehu Sani, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, Prof. Shafideen Amuwo, Barrister Ledum Mitee, Hon. Labaran Maku, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, and Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, whose awards ranged from the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) to the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON).
In a symbolic move, President Tinubu also decorated key National Assembly leaders with national honours previously conferred in 2023. These included Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, both awarded the GCON, as well as Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau and Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who received the CFR.
The honours come as part of efforts to recognise individuals who have made enduring contributions to Nigeria’s democratic evolution, national development, and the preservation of civic freedoms.