Tinubu confers National Honours on Wole Soyinka, Femi Falana, Kukah, others

 

President Bola Tinubu has conferred national honours on a number of prominent Nigerians, including Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN), and Catholic Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah

The honours, announced on Thursday during the Democracy Day address, recognize both living and posthumous recipients for their contributions to Nigeria’s democratic journey—particularly in connection with the June 12, 1993, struggle.

Kudirat Abiola, wife of the late MKO Abiola, was posthumously awarded the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) for her role in the fight to validate the annulled 1993 election. Other posthumous honourees include Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (GCFR), Prof. Humphrey Nwosu (CON), Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (CON), and environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa (CON), along with the rest of the Ogoni Nine. Tinubu also granted them full presidential pardons.

Living recipients include Prof. Olatunji Dare (CON), Kunle Ajibade (OON), Dapo Olorunyomi (OON), Bayo Onanuga (CON), Ayo Obe (OON), and veteran journalist Sam Amuka Pemu (CON), who marks his 90th birthday on June 13.

Others honoured include Senator Shehu Sani, Governor Uba Sani, Bishop Kukah, Prof. Shafideen Amuwo, Barrister Ledum Mitee, Hon. Labaran Maku, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, and Mobolaji Akinyemi. Honours ranged from Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) to Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON).

President Tinubu also formally decorated the leadership of the National Assembly with the honours previously conferred in 2023, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas (GCON), Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, and Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu (CFR).