President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday conferred national honours on key figures of Nigeria’s democratic struggle, including Kudirat Abiola, Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, and Prof. Humphrey Nwosu, during his Democracy Day address to a joint session of the National Assembly in Abuja.
The honours were part of commemorations marking 26 years of uninterrupted democracy in Nigeria, and a tribute to those who played pivotal roles in the June 12, 1993, presidential election and broader pro-democracy efforts.Tinubu posthumously awarded Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) to Kudirat Abiola, calling her “the heroine of the June 12 struggle.”
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua received the highest national honour of Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR), while former NEC chairman Prof. Humphrey Nwosu was honoured with Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).
Other posthumous honourees included:
Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (CON)
Alhaji Balarabe Musa (CFR)
Pa Alfred Rewani (CFR)Bagauda Kaltho (OON)
Chima Ubani (OON)
Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti (CON)
Alao Aka-Bashorun (CON)
Chief Frank Kokori (CON)
Emma Ezeazu (OON)
Bamidele Aturu (OON)
Dr. Fredrick Fasehun (CON)
Prof. Festus Iyayi (CON)
Dr. John Yima Sen (OON)
Alhaja Sawaba Gambo (CON)
Dr. Alex Ibru (CON)
Chief Bola Ige (CFR)
Sen. Ayo Fasanmi (CON)
Sen. Polycarp Nwite (CON)
Dr. Nurudeen Olowopopo (CON)
President Tinubu also honoured several living Nigerians for their contributions to democracy and national development, including human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN), Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, and Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah.“As we mark 26 years of unbroken democracy, it is only right to honour those who made great sacrifices, braving all odds to give us the freedom we enjoy today,” Tinubu said.