President Bola Tinubu has honoured Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, Senator Shehu Sani, Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, and several others for their roles in defending democracy and advancing national development.
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The honours were announced in Abuja on Thursday, recognising both living and posthumous recipients, particularly those who contributed to the June 12 democratic struggle.
Kudirat Abiola was posthumously awarded the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) for her activism following the annulled 1993 election. Others honoured posthumously include Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (GCFR), Prof. Humphrey Nwosu (CON), Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (CON), and environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa, along with the Ogoni Nine. All received presidential pardons.
Among the living recipients were Femi Falana (SAN), Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, Prof. Olatunji Dare (CON), Bayo Onanuga (CON), Dapo Olorunyomi (OON), Ayo Obe (OON), Kunle Ajibade (OON), and Vanguard publisher Sam Amuka Pemu (CON), who turns 90 on June 13.
Others recognised include Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, Prof. Shafideen Amuwo, Barr. Ledum Mitee, Hon. Labaran Maku, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, and Mobolaji Akinyemi.
Tinubu also decorated National Assembly leaders previously honoured in 2023, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House Tajudeen Abbas (GCON), as well as their deputies, Jibrin Barau and Benjamin Kalu (CFR).
