President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has conferred national honours on notable Nigerians, including posthumous awards for late pro-democracy activists, politicians, journalists, and civil rights leaders, as part of activities marking Nigeria’s 2025 Democracy Day celebration.

Tinubu described the honourees as ‘heroes and heroines of democracy.’

The president, in his June 12 Democracy Day celebration at the National Assembly on Thursday, noted that the awards served as a tribute to the sacrifices made in the struggle to entrench and sustain democracy in Nigeria.

“Whilst Abiola was June 12’s central figure, Nigerians must not forget the long list of those who equally deserved 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.”

He said, “I 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 Rewane (CFR), Bagauda Kaltho (OON), Chima Ubani (OON), Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti (CON), Alao Aka-Bashorun (CON), Chief Frank Kokori (CON), and several others whose legacies continue to inspire our democratic journey”.

Others who were honoured posthumously include Chief Bola Ige (CFR), Senator Ayo Fasanmi (CON), Alhaja Kudirat Abiola (CON), Pa Reuben Fasoranti (CFR), Dr. Alex Ibru (CON), Dr. Edwin Madunagu (CON), Emma Ezeazu (OON), and Dr. John Yima Sen (OON).

“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 as we strive to perfect it,” the president stated.

Also, the late environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa and the other members of the “Ogoni Nine” were posthumously honoured. They were Saturday Dobee, Nordu Eawo, Daniel Gbooko, Paul Levera, Felix Nuate, Baribor Bera, Barinem Kiobel and John Kpuine — each conferred with the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON).

Tinubu stated about the Ogoni Nine, “Their voices may have been silenced, but their cause lives on. This recognition is long overdue, and it is a testament to our commitment to justice and reconciliation”.

Prominent living recipients of national honours include Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka (GCON), media icon Uncle Sam Amuka-Pemu (CON), who turns 90 on June 13, and Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah (CON).

Others honoured for their contributions to journalism, advocacy, and nation-building include Prof. Olatunji Dare (CON), Kunle Ajibade (OON), Dapo Olorunyomi (OON), Nosa Igiebor (OON), Bayo Onanuga (CON), Seye Kehinde (OON), Ayo Obe (OON), Dare Babarinsa (CON), and Odia Ofeimun (CON).

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN (CON); Senator Shehu Sani (CON); Governor Uba Sani (CON); Professor Segun Gbadegesin (CON); Barrister Ledum Mitee (CON); and Hon. Olawale Osun (CON) were also among the honourees.

“These men and women have stood on the side of the people in moments when it was inconvenient, risky, and unpopular. Their courage, intellect, and resilience have kept the flame of democracy burning,” Tinubu said.

“As we celebrate 26 years of unbroken democracy, we must remember that our freedoms were won through blood, bravery, and belief. We owe it to these patriots to defend, deepen, and deliver the promise of democracy to every Nigerian,” he noted.

President Tinubu also paid a tribute to former president Muhammadu Buhari, for making June 12, Nigeria’s Democracy Day and officially acknowledging Chief MKO Abiola as the duly elected president of Nigeria after the June 12 1993 presidential election.