Olusegun Adeyemo
A former member of Oyo Assembly, Hon. Femi Adebisi, has called on the federal government to move beyond symbolic gestures and focus more on policy actions that directly impact the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
Hon. Adebisi was speaking in an exclusive telephone interview with The Journal Nigeria, while reacting to the national honours on some prominent Nigerians bestowed by President Bola Tinubu on Thursday during his Democracy Day speech.
Honorable Adebisi emphasized that the essence of democracy should not be reduced to mere celebrations or awards. Instead, he argued, the truest form of honouring Nigeria’s hard-won democracy lies in governance that delivers on justice, equity, and improved quality of life for the citizens.
“The greatest honour we can give to democracy and to heroes like the late Chief MKO Abiola is to ensure that Nigerians enjoy the dividends of democracy—affordable healthcare, quality education, job creation, security, and freedom of expression,” Adebisi stated.
Adebisi, who is also a well known political analyst, pointed out that the symbolism of June 12 goes far beyond the memory of an annulled election. According to him, it represents a national yearning for truth, accountability, and government by the people.
Meanwhile, a public affairs analyst based in Abuja, Mr Jide Ojo, has lauded President Tinubu for finally honouring heroes of Nigeria’s democracy struggle after 32 years. He noted that the move was long overdue, especially considering the president’s own history as a June 12 activist.
Mr. Ojo admitted he did not expect the honours to come at this point in Tinubu’s tenure, saying, “Maybe he was trying to avoid doing it next year, which is closer to the election, so that Nigerians would not read political meaning into it—or perhaps he is using it to mobilize votes.”
While praising the gesture, Mr. Ojo also highlighted the controversy surrounding the omission of names such as Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Dele Momodu, and Omoyele Sowore. He emphasized that if all contributors to the June 12 struggle were to be included, the list would exceed a thousand names.
He cited paragraph 64 of President Tinubu’s Democracy Day speech, which hinted that additional recognition might come during a meeting of the Council of State. According to Ojo, “Proper conferment may not be completed this year. There could be an amendment to the list later as more names are brought to the president’s attention.”
He also raised concerns about the possibility of some names being “deliberately and maliciously omitted” by those compiling the list.
Recall that President Bola Tinubu on Thursday announced national honours for dozens of Nigerians as part of events marking democracy day.
He made this announcement at the National Assembly during his State of the Nation address.
Among the notable honorees are the late Kudirat Abiola, who received a posthumous Commander of the Federal Republic title, and Nobel laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, who was conferred the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger.
Below is the full list of the awardees as announced by President Tinubu:
Kudirat Abiola – CFR
Shehu Musa Yar’Adua – GCFR
Prof. Humphrey Nwosu – CON
Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu – CON
Alhaji Balarabe Musa – CFR
Pa Alfred Rewane – CFR
Bagauda Kaltho – OON
Chima Ubani – OON
Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti – CON
Alao Aka Bashorun – CON
Chief Frank Kokori – CON
Emma Ezeazu – OON
Bamidele Aturu – OON
Fredrick Fasehun – CON
Prof. 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
Senator Ayo Fasanmi – CON
Senator Polycarp Nwite – CON
Dr. Nurudeen Olowopopo – CON
Prof. Wole Soyinka – GCON
Prof. Olatunji Dare – CON
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
Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi – CON
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
Senator Abu Ibrahim – CFR
Senator Ame Ebute – CFR
Uncle Sam Amuka Pemu – CON
Ken Saro-Wiwa – CON
Saturday Dobee – OON
Nordu Eawo – OON
Daniel Gbooko – OON
Paul Levera – OON
Felix Nuate – OON
Baribor Bera – OON
Barinem Kiobel – OON
John Kpuine – OON
President Tinubu also granted Pardon to late environmental rights activist, Ken Saro-Wiwa, and other members of Ogoni Nine executed during Abacha’s regime.