In a poignant tribute to Nigeria’s enduring democratic journey, President Bola Tinubu has conferred national honors upon several distinguished individuals during his address to a joint session of the National Assembly in Abuja.
The ceremony marked the 26th anniversary of the nation’s unbroken democracy, celebrated annually on June 12.
Among the honorees were the late Chief MKO Abiola, widely recognized as the presumed winner of the annulled 1993 presidential election, and Professor Humphrey Nwosu, the former Chairman of the National Electoral Commission (NEC) who oversaw that historic election.
Abiola was posthumously awarded the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR), Nigeria’s highest national honor, while Nwosu received the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).
President Tinubu emphasized the significance of these honors, stating,
“As we mark a twenty-sixth year of unbroken democracy, it is right to honor those who have made sacrifices in the past, braving all the odds and the guns to ensure we have a regime of democracy in our country.”
He further announced the posthumous conferment of the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) on Professor Nwosu, acknowledging his pivotal role in conducting the June 12 election.
The President also recognized other pro-democracy icons, including Major-General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, and environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa.
This gesture reaffirms Nigeria’s commitment to honoring its democratic heroes and underscores the nation’s dedication to upholding the principles of freedom, justice, and democracy
