President Bola Tinubu has conferred national honours on 64 individuals, including Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, and Catholic cleric, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah.
The list of recipients also includes the late Kudirat Abiola, heroine of the June 12 struggle.
The conferment of national honours was announced by President Tinubu during his address at the joint session of the National Assembly to commemorate Democracy Day on Thursday.
Tinubu described the honours as a way of recognizing the contributions of the recipients to Nigeria’s democracy and development.
The list of recipients includes several individuals who played a significant role in Nigeria’s struggle for democracy.
The late Kudirat Abiola, who was one of the wives of the late MKO Abiola, was conferred with the national honour of CFR posthumously.
Other include Gen.Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, Prof. Humphrey Nwosu, Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu, and Alhaji Balarabe Musa, among others.
“We must celebrate the courage of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola and Pa Alfred Rewane, both of whom were murdered by agents of military repression,” Tinubu said.
“We also remember the many civil rights activists, journalists, and politicians imprisoned, exiled, tossed aside, tortured and beaten by the military regime.”
Persecondnews reports that the list of recipients is diverse, comprising individuals from various fields, including politics, journalism, literature, and human rights.
Other notable recipients in these categories include Prof. Wole Soyinka, Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, veteran journalist Dare Babarinsa, and Senator Shehu Sani.
“Let us rededicate ourselves to the ideals of June 12; freedom, transparent and accountable government, social justice, active citizen participation, and a just society where no one is oppressed,” Tinubu said.
The Nigerian leader also announced the conferment of posthumous national honours on the Ogoni Nine, including Ken Saro-Wiwa, and announced a full pardon for them.
“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,” Tinubu said.
The pardon is seen as a significant step towards healing the wounds of the past and promoting national reconciliation.
The conferment of national honours on these individuals is a testament to their contributions to Nigeria’s development and democracy.
As the country celebrates its 26th year of unbroken democracy, Tinubu’s gesture serves as a reminder of the importance of recognizing and rewarding the efforts of individuals who have made a positive impact on the nation.
“Our nation is not perfect, but it is strong. Our democracy is not invincible, but it is alive. And this means our dream of a prosperous, happy nation is still within reach and worth fighting for,” Tinubu said.
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