TINUBU Celebrates June 12 Heroes, Confers National Awards On Pro-Democracy Activists (SEE FULL LIST)

Kindly send your name and location ONLY to this WhatsApp Number 09069473894 to receive our daily news updates.

READ ALSO:   MEMORY LANE: 29 YEARS AFTER; HOW Kudirat Abiola Was Shot Dead, Prince Oyinlola’s Angle, How Tinubu, Fayemi, Soyinka, Others Float Radio Kudirat In UK (Story By Adesoji OMOSEBI)

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu on Thursday, June 12, 2025 celebrated the heroes of Democracy Day including the hero and arrowhead of June 12, Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola popularly known as MKO Abiola.

It will be recalled that Abiola won the 1993 presidential election under the Social Democratic Party, SDP against the National Republican Party, NRC, Ibrahim Tofa with a wide margin on June 12, 1993.

The election was annulled by the President, General Ibrahim Babangida on June 23, 2025.

Unfortunately, Abiola died in prison custody on July 7, 1998.

Former President Muhammadu Buhari declared June 12 every year as a Democracy Day.

Tinubu, while addressing the Joint National Assembly, he paid a tribute to President Muhammadu Buhari for recognizing June 12 as Democracy Day and MKO Abiola and Babagana Kingibe as President and Vice-President.

The President recognized the roles played by some media activists, politicians, lawyers for their courage and struggles for the actualization of democracy in Nigeria.

He conferred post humous National Awards to some martyrs like Chief Alfred Rewane, Kudirat Abiola and others who paid the supreme price for entrenchment of democracy in Nigeria.

The President also recognized some media gurus like Bayo Onanuga, Dare Babarinsa, Dapo Olorunyomi, members of the National Assembly and others.

READ ALSO:   MEMORY LANE: HOW Abacha Deceived Abiola, Manipulates The Military To Become Head Of State – COL DANGIWA UMAR GIVES INSIDER’S ACCOUNT (PART 3)

“Let me pay tribute to former President Muhammadu Buhari for reaching back into history to rectify a national misdeed by making June 12 Democracy Day and by officially acknowledging Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola and his running mate, Babagana Kingibe, as the victors and thus duly elected President and Vice President respectively of Nigeria after the June 12, 1993 elections.

Year by year, election after election, every time we debate instead of battle, discuss instead of fight, and argue instead of destroy, we preserve the institutions of democracy. More importantly, we weave the culture of democracy into the very fabric of our nation.

Whilst Chief MKO Abiola is June 12’s central figure, we must not forget the long list of those who equally deserve to be called heroes of Nigerian democracy.

We must celebrate the courage of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola and Pa Alfred Rewane, both of whom were murdered by agents of military repression. We also remember the many civil rights activists, journalists, and politicians imprisoned, exiled, tossed aside, tortured and beaten by the military regime.

READ ALSO:  MEMORY LANE: HOW Abacha Deceived Abiola, Manipulates The Military To Become Head Of State – COL DANGIWA UMAR GIVES INSIDER’S ACCOUNT (PART 2)

We remember Chief Anthony Enahoro, Commodore Dan Suleiman, Chief Abraham Adesanya, Ayo Adebanjo, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Balarabe Musa, Ganiyu Dawodu, the journalist Bagauda Kaltho, and Commodore Ndubuisi Kanu. I mention these names not to exclude or degrade the profound contributions of anyone else, but to illustrate, through these few heroes, the universality of our pursuit of democracy.

The struggle was never the province of any one group or section of the country, it was pan-Nigerian in its conception and will be even more pan-Nigerian as we strive to perfect it.

It is fitting that I come to this chamber. You are the authors of the people’s law, and I must be their faithful implementer. While we may not always agree, we must forge a way to work together because this is what democracy demands of us. I pledge myself to this cooperation and ask that you do the same for the good of our people

In this light, I announce the conferment of the posthumous national honour of CFR on Kudirat Abiola, the heroine of the June 12 struggle.

READ ALSO:   MEMORY LANE: HOW Abacha Deceived Abiola, Manipulates The Military To Become Head Of State – COL DANGIWA UMAR GIVES INSIDER’S ACCOUNT (PART 1)

I also confer posthumous national honours on 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), Fredrick Fasehun (CON), 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).

I also confer national honours on 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), Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah (CON), 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), Hon. Labaran Maku (OON), Dr. Tunji Alausa (CON), Mr Nick Dazang (OON), Hon Abdul Oroh (OON), Odia Ofeimun (CON), Seye Kehinde (OON), Barrister Felix Morka (CON) Barrister Ledum Mitee (CON), Hon. 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), Sen. Abu Ibrahim (CFR), and Sen. Ame Ebute (CFR).

Additionally, I confer the national honour of CON on Uncle Sam Amuka Pemu, a legendary journalist and publisher who remains true to his lifetime calling as he marks his 90th birthday tomorrow, June 13.

READ ALSO:   JUNE 12 HEROES: Four Youths who hijack Nigeria Airways, call for declaration of Abiola as President (THEY DESERVE HONOURS)

Furthermore, I also confer posthumous national honours on Ken Saro Wiwa (CON), the leader of the Ogoni Nine and his fellow travellers, Saturday Dobee (OON), Nordu Eawo (OON), Daniel Gbooko (OON), Paul Levera (OON), Felix Nuate (OON), Baribor Bera (OON), Barinem Kiobel (OON), and John Kpuine (OON). I shall also be exercising my powers under the prerogative of mercy to grant these national heroes a full pardon, together with others whose names shall be announced later in conjunction with the National Council of State.

Finally, it is my great privilege to now decorate the presiding officers of the National Assembly with the National Honours earlier conferred upon them last year:

Presiding National Assembly Officers

Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, GCON – SENATE PRESIDENT
Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, PhD, GCON – Speaker
Senator Jibrin Ibrahim Barau, CFR – DEPUTY SENATE PRESIDENT
Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, CFR – Deputy Speaker.”

READ ALSO:   BETWEEN Oshiomhole And Air Peace, Who Is To Be Blamed For The Public Face-Off At The Airport? (READ INSIDE STORY FROM BOTH SIDES)

CALL 08023851511 to kick-start business relationship with us for your advert, PR, Publicity, Awareness, Interviews, Feature Stories, Press Release/Statement, Documentary and so on.