The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa has described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s June 12 conferment of national honours on 139 Nigerians who laboured or lost their lives for the nation’s democracy to survive and thrive as a potent panacea for healing age-long historical grievances.
During his June 12, 2025, Democracy Day address to a joint National Assembly in Abuja, President Tinubu announced 139 National Honours to recognise the outstanding contributions of heroes who have shaped Nigeria’s democracy.
The president said, 68 of these honours were awarded posthumously, acknowledging the enduring legacy of their sacrifices. At the same time, a presidential pardon was granted to the ‘Ogoni Nine,’ who were also honoured with national recognition.
Some nationalists honoured included Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka (GCON); General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (GCFR); the late Pa. Alfred Rewane (CFR); the late Chief Bola Ige (CFR); and the late Kudirat Abiola, the slain wife of Chief MKO Abiola, the presumptive winner of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, regarded as the freest and fairest in Nigeria’s electoral odyssey.
The speaker in a statement signed by the Special Adviser on Research, Media, and Documentation, Adeshina Oyetayo, recalled that the president started living up to his words since last year by declaring June 12 a public holiday to commemorate Nigeria’s Democracy Day, noting that the president has raised the bar by honouring and granting full pardon to activist Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other Ogoni martyrs executed by the regime of General Sani Abacha for alleged murder in November 1994.
He said, “Remembering to honour these distinguished Nigerians, some of whom sacrificed their lives for the democracy that we enjoy today, is a very patriotic, honourable, and commendable thing to do by Mr. President.
“This gesture underscores Mr President’s promise last year that he would address historical grievances by fostering dialogue, reconciliation, and healing among all ethnic nationalities that make up our great nation.”
The Speaker restated that the national honours conferment is an indubitable reminder that the labour of our heroes past shall never be in vain, and by extension, building blocks to bequeathing a great, prosperous, and united nation that posterity will be proud of.
