By Daily Review Online
Headline Option 2: Democracy Day: Tinubu Names 50 Pro-Democracy Activists, Soldier-Democrats for National Honours
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday announced national honours for 50 pro-democracy activists, journalists, lawyers, politicians and military officers who played key roles in Nigeria’s struggle for democracy, as part of activities marking the 2026 Democracy Day celebration.
The President unveiled the honours during his nationwide broadcast commemorating June 12, saying the awardees endured persecution, imprisonment, exile, harassment and other sacrifices to ensure the return of democratic governance in Nigeria.
Among those honoured are veteran journalists, activists and political figures, including Tunde Fagbenle, Oladele Alake, Olatunji Bello, Louis Odion, Segun Babatope, Sam Omatseye, Bola Bolawole, Debo Adeniran, Chief Ayo Opadokun, Prof. Sylvester Odion-Akhaine, Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, Richard Akinnola, Major-General Ishola Williams (rtd), Femi Aborisade, Gbemiga Ogunleye, Babajide Kolade-Otitoju and Ike Okonta.
Tinubu also recognised several military officers whom he described as “soldier-democrats” for their contributions to the June 12 struggle. They include Major General M.A. Garba, Brigadier General Lawal Jaafaru Isa, Colonel Sambo Dasuki, Colonel Lawan Gwadabe, Brigadier Jonathan Ndam Temlong, Major General Chris Eze, Major General Harris Dzarma, Lieutenant Colonel Happy Kefas Bulus and Brigadier Yahaya Abubakar, the Etsu Nupe.
The President said the full honours list would be released in the coming days.
The announcement formed part of Tinubu’s Democracy Day address in which he reflected on Nigeria’s 27 years of uninterrupted democratic rule and paid tribute to the heroes of the June 12, 1993 presidential election struggle.
He said Nigerians have sustained democracy through peaceful elections, transitions of power and the use of democratic institutions to resolve political disputes.
“June 12 occupies a sacred place in our national memory. It represents more than an election; it is a defining chapter in our story,” the President said.
Tinubu paid tribute to Chief M.K.O. Abiola, widely regarded as the winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, as well as Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Chief Bola Ige, Chief Alfred Rewane, Pa Abraham Adesanya, Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti, Frank Kokori and several other pro-democracy figures.
The President also announced the renaming of the completed Institute of Petroleum Studies in Kaduna as the General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua University of Geological Sciences and Engineering Technology in honour of the late military officer and pro-democracy advocate.
On national security, Tinubu expressed concern over the recent abduction of schoolchildren in Oyo and Borno states but assured Nigerians that his administration was intensifying efforts to tackle insecurity.
He said the government had approved the recruitment of more than 50,000 police officers and thousands of military personnel, while allocating N5.41 trillion to defence and security in the 2026 budget.
According to him, terror-related deaths have declined significantly in recent years, while over 13,000 terrorists were neutralised in the past year.
The President also defended the economic reforms introduced by his administration since 2023, arguing that they were necessary to restore stability, improve public finances and attract investment.
While acknowledging that many Nigerians continue to face economic hardship, Tinubu said the government remains focused on reducing inflation, creating jobs, boosting food production and improving living standards.
“We are moving from uncertainty to stability. The next phase is about accelerating growth and ensuring the benefits are felt in every home, every community and every region,” he said.
Calling for national unity, the President urged Nigerians to reject division and remain committed to building a prosperous and democratic nation.
“The road ahead is steep. But June 12 reminds us: Nigerians do not break. We bend, we bleed, but we do not break,” Tinubu said.