President Bola Tinubu has conferred national honours on several distinguished Nigerians, both living and late, in recognition of their service to the nation, especially in the context of the June 12 democratic struggle.
Among the honourees are Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka, human rights lawyer Femi Falana and Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah.
The announcement, made on Thursday, included posthumous awards for late pro-democracy heroes such as Kudirat Abiola, who was honoured with the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) title for her role in the campaign to validate the annulled June 12, 1993, presidential election.
Other posthumous recipients include former chief of staff Musa Yar’Adua, awarded the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR); former national electoral commission chairman Humphrey Nwosu (CON); Ndubuisi Kanu (CON); and renowned environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa (CON), along with the rest of the Ogoni Nine. All of them were granted full presidential pardons.
Living awardees include media and civil rights figOlatunji Dare (CON), Kunle Ajibade (OON), Dapo Olorunyomi (OON), Bayo Onanuga (CON) and lawyer Ayo Obe (OON).
Veteran journalist and Vanguard publisher Sam Amuka Pemu, fondly called Uncle Sam, was also awarded the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON). The media icon turns 90 on June 13.
Other names on the honours list include Senator Shehu Sani, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, Prof. Shafideen Amuwo, Barr. Ledum Mitee, Labaran Maku, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, and Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi.
The awards range from Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) to Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON).
