Kolade-Otitoju, Osinubi Among Nigerians Named for National Honours

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced plans to confer national honours on a number of Nigerians who played prominent roles in the struggle for the restoration of democracy, including Director of News at TVC, Babajide Kolade-Otitoju and former Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of PUNCH Newspapers, Ademola Osinubi.

The President made the announcement during his nationwide Democracy Day broadcast on Friday, as Nigeria marked the anniversary of the June 12, 1993 presidential election widely regarded as the freest and fairest in the country's history.

Tinubu said the honours are intended to recognise the sacrifices of Nigerians who faced persecution, detention, exile and other forms of hardship in the fight against military rule and the eventual return to democratic governance.

According to him, many of the individuals being honoured paid significant personal prices to ensure that democracy survived in Nigeria.

“I am also pleased to announce national awards to the following Nigerians, who suffered persecution, endured indignities, exile, incarceration and, at times, solitary confinement, so that we have democracy today,” the President said.

While mentioning some of the recipients during the broadcast, Tinubu disclosed that the full list of awardees would be released publicly in the coming days.

The announcement formed part of activities marking the 2026 Democracy Day celebration, during which the President paid tribute to the heroes and heroines of the June 12 struggle and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to democratic governance, constitutional order and national development.

The June 12 movement remains one of the defining moments in Nigeria’s democratic history, following the annulment of the 1993 presidential election won by the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola.

Many journalists, activists, civil society leaders and politicians were subjected to harassment, detention and exile during the campaign for the restoration of democratic rule, which culminated in the return to civilian government in 1999.

The national honours are expected to formally recognise the contributions of several individuals whose roles were instrumental in sustaining the pro-democracy movement and defending democratic ideals during one of Nigeria’s most turbulent political periods.