On Thursday, President Bola Tinubu conferred national honours on prominent citizens, including Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka, human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN), and Catholic Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah.
The gesture singles out recipients (living and dead) for their service to the country, particularly with regard to the June 12 democratic struggle.
Among those honoured posthumously was Kudirat Abiola, who was awarded the Federal Republic (CFR) for her part in the fight to ratify the June 12, 1993, election.
Others bestowed with honours are Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (GCFR), Prof. Humphrey Nwosu (CON), Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (CON), and environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa (CON).
Nigerians still living who were also honoured are 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).
Others include Senator Shehu Sani, Governor Uba Sani, Bishop Kukah, 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).
National Assembly leaders were not left out as Tinubu conferred national honours on them: Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker Tajudeen Abbas (GCON), Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau and Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu (CFR).