President Bola Tinubu on Thursday, June 12, 2025, conferred national honours on some late pro-democracy activists in Nigeria.
While delivering his speech at a joint session of the National Assembly today, Mr Tinubu also conferred the honours on other citizens still alive, appreciating them for speaking out when the military governed the nation many years ago.
The federal government declared today a public holiday to celebrate Democracy Day. This day was chosen for such because on June 12, 1993, Nigerians voted to elect a president, but the military, under Mr Ibrahim Babangida, annulled the exercise despite it being described as the freest and fairest in the history of the country.
The election was believed to have been won by late MKO Abiola, but he died on July 7, 1998, while in detention because he declared himself as president.
During his message to the lawmakers on Thursday, President Tinubu honoured the late wife of Mr Abiola, Kudirat, as well as the late Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Mr Bola Ige.
Below is the full list of the recipient of the national honours;
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (GCFR), Prof. Humphrey Nwosu (CON), 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), and Fredrick Fasehun (CON).
Others are Professor 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) and Dr. Nurudeen Olowopopo (CON).Prof. Wole Soyinka (GCON), Prof. Olatunji Dare (CON), the journalist and journalism teacher; Kunle Ajibade (OON); Nosa Igiebor (OON), Dapo Olorunyomi (OON), Bayo Onanuga (CON), Ayo Obe (OON), Dare Babarinsa (CON), and Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah (CON).
The rest are Senator Shehu Sani (CON), Governor Uba Sani (CON), Barrister Femi Falana, SAN (CON), Prof. Shafideen Amuwo (CON), Barrister Luke Aghanenu (OON), Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi (CON), Labaran Maku (OON), Dr. Tunji Alausa (CON), Mr Nick Dazang (OON), Abdul Oroh (OON), Odia Ofeimun (CON), Seye Kehinde (OON), Barrister Felix Morka (CON) Barrister Ledum Mitee (CON), 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), Senator Abu Ibrahim (CFR), and Senator Ame Ebute (CFR).