Tinubu Decorates NASS Presiding Officers With National Honours

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday decorated presiding officers of the National Assembly with the National Honours earlier conferred upon them last year.

Those decorated include Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen who received the Grand Commander Order of the Niger (GCON) as well as the Deputy Senate President, Ibrahim Barau and Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu who were decorated with the Commander Federal Republic (CFR).

President Tinubu did the decoration during his address at the joint session of the National Assembly in commemoration of
Democracy of Day, 2025.

The president also announced the conferment of the posthumous national honour of CFR on Kudirat Abiola, the heroine of the June 12 struggle; Shehu Musa Yar’Adua with GCFR, 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) and Chief Frank Kokori (CON).

Others are Emma Ezeazu (OON), Bamidele Aturu (OON), Fredrick Fasehun (CON), Professor Festus Iyayi (CON), Dr John Yima Sen (OON), Alhaja Sawaba Gambo (CON), Dr Edwin Madunagu (CON), 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).

Also honoured are 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) and Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi (CON).

The rest include 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).

Additionally, the President conferred CON on Uncle Sam Amuka Pemu, a legendary journalist and publisher of Vanguard for remaining “true to his lifetime calling as he marks his 90th birthday tomorrow, June 13.”

Furthermore, posthumous national honours were conferred on late environmentalist 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).

In exercise of his powers under the prerogative of mercy, Tinubu also granted “these national heroes a full pardon, together with others whose names shall be announced later in conjunction with the National Council of State.”

Tinubu called on the lawmakers and Nigerians to rededicate themselves to the ideals of June 12 which include freedom, transparent and accountable government, social justice, active citizen participation, and a just society where no one is oppressed.