By Ogungbayi Adeyemi S. | adeyemi@ddnewsonline.com
Editor, DDNews |
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has conferred national awards on a select group of Nigerians who endured persecution, exile, incarceration, and solitary confinement in the struggle for the democracy the country enjoys today.
The President made the announcement during his 2026 Democracy Day speech on Friday, June 12, as part of activities marking the historic day.
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The honourees include prominent journalists, activists, lawyers, and pro-democracy campaigners such as 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, Chief Ayo Opadokun, Chief Ralph Obiora, Ose Osayande, Barrister Osa Director, Prof. Sylvester Odion-Akhaine, Dr Arthur Nwankwo (Posthumous), Dr Osagie Obayuwana, Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, Barrister Titus Mann, Joe Igbokwe, Richard Akinnola, Ben Charles-Obi (Posthumous), George Mbah, Dr Niran Malaolu, Major-General Ishola Williams (rtd), Femi Aborisade, Jenkins Alumona, Gbemiga Ogunleye, Muyiwa Adekeye, Babajide Kolade-Otitoju, and Ike Okonta.
President Tinubu also recognised the contributions of several soldier-democrats who played key roles in the June 12 struggle. They include Major General MA Garba, Brigadier General Lawal Jaafaru Isa, Col Umar Farouk Ahmed, Col Sambo Dasuki, Col Lawan Gwadabe, Brigadier Jonathan Ndam Temlong, Col Musa Shehu, Major General Chris Eze, Major General Harris Dzarma, Col Isa Jibrin, Maj. General Joseph Oshanupin, Col Olusegun Oloruntoba (Olugbede of Gbede Kingdom), Lieutenant Colonel Happy Kefas Bulus, Col J Okai, Col Emmanuel Ndubueze, Lt Col Yakubu Muazu, and Brigadier Yahaya Abubakar, the current Etsu Nupe, who already holds the CFR title.
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The full honours list is expected to be released in the coming days.
DDNewsOnline – Lagos
By Ogungbayi Adeyemi S. (Beedee)
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