President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday announced the conferment of National Honours on Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, Afenifere leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti to commemorate the 32th year anniversary of the annulment of June 12 elections won by the late MKO, Abiola.
The then military dictator, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida annulled that election, widely regarded as the freest and fairest election in Nigeria’s political history.
Professor Soyinka and Pa Fasoranti were both conferred with the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON).
Other awardees include the late Dr. Beko Ransome Kuti, late Chief Alfred Rewane, late Professor Humphrey Nwosu, former INEC Chairman; Human Rights lawyer, Femi Falana; Catholic Bishop, Hassan Mathew Kuka.
Among the posthumous honourees is Kudirat Abiola, awarded the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) for her role in the fight to validate the June 12, 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 (CON), along with his fellow Ogoni Nine, all of whom received full presidential pardons.
Living recipients include Prof. Olatunji Dare (CON), Kunle Ajibade (OON), Dapo Olorunyomi (OON), Bayo Onanuga (CON), Ayo Obe (OON), and journalist and Vanguard publisher Uncle Sam Amuka Pemu (CON), who turns 90 on June 13.
Other notable names include Senator Shehu Sani, Governor Uba Sani, Prof. Shafideen Amuwo, Barr. Ledum Mitee, Hon. Labaran Maku, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, and Mobolaji Akinyemi. Awards ranged from the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) to the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON).
President Tinubu also decorated National Assembly leaders with the honours earlier conferred upon them in 2023: Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker Tajudeen Abbas (GCON), Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau and Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu (CFR).
