Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has honoured 50 Nigerians who played key roles in the pro‑democracy movement with national awards, recognising journalists, civil rights activists, political leaders and retired military officers who risked persecution, imprisonment and exile to end military dictatorship. The announcement was made on Friday, June 12, 2026, as part of the Democracy Day celebration marking 27 years of uninterrupted civilian rule in Nigeria. The awardees include former National Security Adviser Colonel Sambo Dasuki (retd.), Minister of Solid Minerals Development Oladele Dele Alake, and All Progressives Congress chieftain Joe Igbokwe, alongside veterans of the June 12, 1993 presidential election struggle.
In a nationwide broadcast, Tinubu described June 12 as a defining moment in Nigeria’s democratic journey. “June 12 occupies a sacred place in our national memory. It represents more than an election; it is a defining chapter in our story,” the President said. He noted that the awardees “suffered persecution, endured indignities, exile, incarceration, and, at times, solitary confinement, so that we have democracy today.” The honours cover both living recipients and posthumous awards, including Dr Arthur Nwankwo and Ben Charles‑Obi, who were recognised for their roles as pro‑democracy campaigners. The President said a full breakdown of the categories and ranks of the awards would be released in the coming days.
The civilian honourees include veteran journalists and editors who defied military decrees to keep the press alive. Among them are Sir Ademola Osinubi, former Managing Director of PUNCH Nigeria Limited, who endured government harassment and security threats to the newspaper throughout the Babangida and Abacha years. Others are Bola Bolawole, Lade Bonuola, Femi Kusa, Debo Adeniran, Louis Odion, Segun Babatope, Sam Omatseye, Dr Joe Okei‑Odumakin, Richard Akinnola, Prof. Sylvester Odion‑Akhaine, Chief Ayo Opadokun, Chief Ralph Obiora, Ose Osayande, Barrister Osa Director, Dr Osagie Obayuwana, Barrister Titus Mann, Jenkins Alumona, Femi Aborisade, Gbemiga Ogunleye, Muyiwa Adekeye, Babajide Kolade‑Otitoju, Ike Okonta, Tunde Fagbenle, Olatunji Bello, George Mbah, Dr Niran Malaolu, and the late Ben Charles‑Obi.
A separate category of “soldier‑democrats” recognises retired military officers who resisted the annulment of the June 12 election or suffered professional consequences for siding with democracy. Those honoured include Colonel Sambo Dasuki, Colonel Lawan Gwadabe, Major‑General Ishola Williams (retd.), Major‑General M.A. Garba, Brigadier‑General Lawal Jaafaru Isa, Colonel Umar Farouk Ahmed, 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, the current Etsu Nupe.
In his address, Tinubu also warned bandits, kidnappers and sponsors of terror to surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian State, noting that terror‑related deaths had dropped by 81 percent since 2015 and that over 13,000 terrorists were neutralised in the past year. The President further announced that the 2026 budget commits a record N5.41 trillion to defence, alongside the recruitment of more than 50,000 police officers. He also approved the renaming of the Institute of Petroleum Studies, Kaduna, as the General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua University of Geological Sciences and Engineering Technology.
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