President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has bestowed prestigious national honours on a distinguished group of Nigerians, including Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, renowned human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN), slain environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa, and Catholic Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah. The announcement was made during President Tinubu’s address to a joint session of the National Assembly in Abuja on Thursday, marking a significant moment in Nigeria’s Democracy Day commemorations.
In recognition of their exemplary dedication to democracy, justice, press freedom, and national development, President Tinubu conferred the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) — Nigeria’s second-highest honour — on Prof. Soyinka. Other awards included Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), and Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR), distributed among a broad spectrum of recipients comprising journalists, legal experts, civil rights activists, political figures, and posthumous honourees.
Among the posthumous awards, the late Ken Saro-Wiwa and his fellow Ogoni Nine activists received the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), alongside full presidential pardons, highlighting their enduring legacies in environmental activism and justice advocacy. The late Kudirat Abiola was honoured with the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) for her pivotal role in the struggle for the actualisation of the June 12, 1993, election.
Notable living recipients who were recognised for their contributions to media and civil society include Prof. Olatunji Dare, veteran journalists Kunle Ajibade and Dapo Olorunyomi, as well as Uncle Sam Amuka Pemu, a legendary journalist marking his 90th birthday.
The full list of awardees features a host of other prominent Nigerians, including Senator Shehu Sani, Governor Uba Sani, Prof. Shafideen Amuwo, Barrister Ledum Mitee, and Prof. Julius Ihonvbere. Earlier honours awarded to National Assembly leaders were also acknowledged, reinforcing the role of democratic institutions in Nigeria’s governance.
These honours come as part of the broader Democracy Day celebrations, underscoring Nigeria’s ongoing journey toward democratic consolidation and national progress.
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Full List of Awardees (selected highlights):
- Prof. Wole Soyinka (GCON)
- Prof. Olatunji Dare (CON)
- Kunle Ajibade (OON)
- Nosa Igiebor (OON)
- Dapo Olorunyomi (OON)
- Bayo Onanuga (CON)
- Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah (CON)
- Senator Shehu Sani (CON)
- Governor Uba Sani (CON)
- Barrister Femi Falana, SAN (CON)
- Prof. Julius Ihonvbere (CON)
- Mobolaji Akinyemi (CFR)
- Sen. Abu Ibrahim (CFR)
- Uncle Sam Amuka Pemu (CON)
- Ken Saro-Wiwa (CON, posthumous)
- Kudirat Abiola (CFR, posthumous)
