President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged Nigerians, to always believe in the country no matter the circumstances, even as he challenged the National Assembly, the Judiciary, the media and civil society organisations to continue serving as guardians of democratic governance.
The president in his address to the nation to mark Democracy Day celebration urged the youths to see the country as their future and contribute actively to national development rather than seeking opportunities elsewhere.
He said: “Nigeria is your home and your future. Build here, code here, work here, and vote here. Every great nation was built by those who stayed to solve problems, not by those who abandoned ship.”
The President also commended members of the armed forces, police, intelligence agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders and community heads for their roles in promoting peace and national cohesion.
The President paid glowing tribute to Nigerians who endured imprisonment, exile, persecution and death during the struggle for democracy, describing them as heroes whose sacrifices made the current democratic dispensation possible.
He saluted the late winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola, and his deceased spouse, Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, alongside other democracy vanguards.
Former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2018 signed an Executive Order proclaiming June 12, the date of the historic election won by Abiola but annulled by the military, as Democracy Day. It has since been observed as a public holiday.
The president also conferred national honours on an number of individuals.
Those listed for national recognition include Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Chief Bola Ige, Chief Alfred Rewane, Senator Abraham Adesanya, Chief Anthony Enahoro, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, Commodore Dan Suleiman, Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti, Chief Frank Kokori, Chief Arthur Nwankwo, Mr. Chima Ubani and Gen. Yar’Adua.
Tinubu also announced national honours for many journalists, activists, lawyers, politicians and civil society leaders who suffered persecution, detention, exile and other hardships during the struggle against military rule.
Many military officers who were persecuted during the pro-democracy struggle were also honoured.
They are Ayoka Lawani, Tunde Fagbenle, Oladele Alake, Olatunji Bello, Louis Odion, Segun Babatope, Sam Omatseye, Ademola Osinubi, Bola Bolawole, Lade Bonuola, Femi Kusa, Osa Director, Richard Akinnola, George Mbah, Niran Malaolu, Gbemiga Ogunleye, Jenkins Alumona, Muyiwa Adekeye, Babajide Kolade-Otitoju, Ike Okonta and Ben Charles-Obi (posthumous).
Activists on the list are Debo Adeniran, Ayo Opadokun, Ralph Obiora, Ose Osayande, Sylvester Odion-Akhaine and Arthur Nwankwo (posthumous).
Others are Osagie Obayuwana, Joe Okei-Odumakin, Titus Mann, Joe Igbokwe, Maj.-Gen. Ishola Williams (retd) and Femi Aborisade.
The President equally recognised many military officers, including Maj.-Gen. M.A. Garba, Brig.-Gen. Lawal Jaafaru Isa, Col. Umar Farouk Ahmed, Col. Sambo Dasuki, Col. Lawan Gwadabe, Brig. Jonathan Ndam Temlong, Col. Musa Shehu, Maj.-Gen. Chris Eze, Maj.-Gen. Harris Dzarma, Col. Isa Jibrin, Maj.-Gen. Joseph Oshanupin, Col. Olusegun Oloruntoba, Lt.-Col. Happy Kefas Bulus, Col. J. Okai, Col. Emmanuel Ndubueze, Lt.-Col. Yakubu Muazu and Brig. Yahaya Abubakar, who is the Etsu Nupe.
The President added: “Among the architects of modern democratic Nigeria, we honour General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua for his vision of national partnership.
“In recognition of his contributions, the Federal Government has approved the revitalisation and renaming of the completed Institute of Petroleum Studies, Kaduna, as the General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua University of Geological Sciences and Engineering Technology.”
Tinubu said the full honours list would be released in the coming days.
According to him, the greatest tribute Nigerians can pay to the heroes is to build a nation where freedom is protected, justice is upheld, opportunities are expanded, and government remains accountable to the people.
June 12, he believes, demonstrates the possibility of a united Nigerian nation, noting that while the heroes of that struggle secured political freedom, the responsibility of the present generation is to secure economic freedom.
(Ripples)
