President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday, June 12, 2025, conferred national honours on some prominent Nigerians during his June 12 address to a joint session of the National Assembly in Abuja.
Among those honoured posthumously were late Major General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, a leader of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP), Professor Humphrey Nwosu, who was the Chairman of the National Electoral Commission (NEC) that conducted the June 12, Option A4 election which was won by Late Chief MKO Abiola and late Mrs. Kudirat Abiola, wife of the late MKO Abiola.
General Yar’Adua (retd), also served as Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters in the military regime of then General Olusegun Obasanjo (retd), as Head of State.
While announcing the conferment of the national honours, President Tinubu said that as we mark the twenty-sixth year of unbroken democracy, it was right to honour those who have made sacrifices in the past by braving all odds and the guns to ensure we have a regime of democracy in the country
Tinubu said; “In this light, I announce the conferment of the posthumous national honour of CFR on Kudirat Abiola, the heroine of the June 12 struggle.
“I also confer posthumous national honours of GCFR on Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, Prof. Humphrey Nwosu (CON), Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (CON), Alhaji Balarabe Musa (CFR), Pa. Alfred Rewani (CFR), Bagauda Kaltho (OON), Chima Ubani (OON), Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti (CON), Alao Aka Bashorun (CON), Chief Frank Kokori (CON), Emma Ezeazu (OON), Bamidele Aturu (OON), Fredrick Fasehun (CON), Professor Festus Iyayi (CON), Dr John Yima Sen (OON), Alhaja Sawaba Gambo (CON), and Dr. Edwin Madunagu (CON).
Others included; Dr. Alex Ibru (CON), Chief Bola Ige (CFR), Pa. Reuben Fasoranti (CFR), Sen. Ayo Fasanmi (CON), Sen. Polycarp Nwite (CON) and Dr. Nurudeen Olowopopo (CON),” he said at the event.
Apart from these individuals, President Tinubu also honoured some distinguished Nigerians that included human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka, and the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Hassan Kukah, with national awards.
Tinubu said; “I also confer national honours on Prof. Wole Soyinka (GCON), Prof. Olatunji Dare (CON), the journalist and journalism teacher; Kunle Ajibade (OON); Nosa Igiebor (OON), Dapo Olorunyomi (OON), Bayo Onanuga (CON), Ayo Obe (OON), Dare Babarinsa (CON), Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah (CON), Senator Shehu Sani (CON), Governor Uba Sani (CON), Barrister Femi Falana, SAN (CON), Prof. Shafideen Amuwo (CON), Barrister Luke Aghanenu (OON), Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi (CON), Hon. Labaran Maku (OON), Dr. Tunji Alausa (CON), Mr Nick Dazang (OON), Hon Abdul Oroh (OON), Odia Ofeimun (CON), Seye Kehinde (OON), Barrister Felix Morka (CON), Barrister Ledum Mitee (CON), Hon. Olawale Osun (CON), Dr. Amos Akingba (CON), Prof. Segun Gbadegesin (CON), Mobolaji Akinyemi (CFR), Dr. Kayode Shonoiki (CON), Prof. Julius Ihonvbere (CON), Prof. Bayo Williams (CON), Sen. Abu Ibrahim (CFR), and Sen. Ame Ebute (CFR).”
The President also conferred national honours on the Ogoni Nine, led by the late environmental activist and writer, Dr Ken Saro-Wiwa.
He said; “Furthermore, I also confer posthumous national honours on Ken Saro Wiwa (CON), the leader of the Ogoni Nine and his fellow travellers, Saturday Dobee (OON), Nordu Eawo (OON), Daniel Gbooko (OON), Paul Levera (OON), Felix Nuate (OON), Baribor Bera (OON), Barinem Kiobel (OON), and John Kpuine (OON).
“I shall also be exercising my powers under the prerogative of mercy to grant these national heroes full pardon, together with others whose names shall be announced later in conjunction with the National Council of State,” President Tinubu said.
The President also granted a national honour of CON on Uncle Sam Amuka Pemu, a legendary journalist and publisher of the Vanguard newspapers who remains true to his lifetime calling as he marks his 90th birthday tomorrow, June 13.
Find below, the full list of those given posthumous national awards by Tinubu
- Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (GCFR)
- Kudirat Abiola (CFR)
- Humphrey Nwosu (CON)
- Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (CON)
- Alhaji Balarabe Musa (CFR)
- Alfred Rewani (CFR)
- Bagauda Kaltho (OON)
- Chima Ubani (OON)
- Beko Ransome-Kuti (CON)
- Alao Aka Bashorun (CON)
- Chief Frank Kokori (CON)
- Emma Ezeazu (OON)
13. Bamidele Aturu (OON)
14. Fredrick Fasehun (CON)
15. Professor Festus Iyayi (CON)
16. Dr John Yima Sen (OON)
17. Alhaja Sawaba Gambo (CON)
18. Dr. Alex Ibru (CON)
19. Chief Bola Ige (CFR)
20. Sen. Ayo Fasanmi (CON)
21. Sen. Polycarp Nwite (CON)
22. Dr. Nurudeen Olowopopo (CON)
