President Bola Tinubu has announced national honours for a broad cross-section of Nigerians who played significant roles in the country’s pro-democracy struggle, particularly around the June 12 political crisis.
He described them as individuals who endured persecution, incarceration, exile and various forms of hardship to secure Nigeria’s democratic rule.
The June 12 pro-democracy movement remains one of the defining political episodes in the country’s history, widely associated with the struggle for the validation of the 1993 presidential election and the country’s eventual return to democratic rule in 1999.
In the list released by the Presidency, the awardees include lawyers, journalists, activists, intellectuals and military officers who, according to the President, made sacrifices that helped to shape Nigeria’s return to civilian governance.
Among those honoured are late human rights activist and politician Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, Barrister Ayoka Lawani, Tunde Fagbenle, Oladele Alake, Olatunji Bello, Louis Odion, Segun Babatope, Sam Omatseye, Sir Ademola Osinubi, Bola Bolawole, Lade Bonuola, Femi Kusa, Debo Adeniran and Chief Ayo Opadokun.
Others include Chief Ralph Obiora, Ose Osayande, Barrister Osa Director, Prof. Sylvester Odion-Akhaine, Dr Osagie Obayuwana, Barrister Titus Mann, Joe Igbokwe, Richard Akinnola, George Mbah, Dr Niran Malaolu, Major-General Ishola Williams (rtd), Femi Aborisade, Jenkins Alumona, Gbemiga Ogunleye, Muyiwa Adekeye and Babajide Kolade-Otitoju.
The list also contains posthumous recognitions for Dr Arthur Nwankwo and Ben Charles-Obi.
The Presidency further recognised members of the military who were part of the June 12 democratic struggle, including a former National Security Advisor under the then President Goodluck Jonathan administration, Col Sambo Dasuki.
It also includes Major General MA Garba, Brigadier General Lawal Jaafaru Isa, Col Umar Farouk Ahmed, Col Lawan Gwadabe, Brigadier Jonathan Ndam Temlong, Col Musa Shehu, Major General Chris Eze, Major General Harris Dzarma, Col Isa Jibrin.
Others are Maj. General Joseph Oshanupin, Col Olusegun Oloruntoba, Lt Col Happy Kefas Bulus, Col J Okai, Col Emmanuel Ndubueze, Lt Col Yakubu Muazu and Brigadier Yahaya Abubakar, who is also the current Etsu Nupe.
According to the President, the full honours list will be released in the coming days
