Tinubu Confers Nat’l Honours On Soyinka, Shehu Yar’Adua, Uncle Sam Amuka, Bayo Onanuga, Kudirat Abiola, Others

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has conferred national honours on some illustrious Nigerians for their immense contribution to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy and National development.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga was among the honourees as he was conferred with the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).

Announcing the honourees on Thursday, 12 June, 2025, at the National Assembly, President Tinubu also honoured veteran journalist and Publisher of Vanguard, Uncle Sam Amuka.

Also, President Tinubu confered national awards on Onanuga’s colleagues at the Independent Communication Network Limited, publishers of TheNews/PMNews and defunct Tempo magazine: Dapo Olorunyomi, Kunle Ajibade, Odia Ofeimun and Seye Kehinde.

Ofeimun, who was the Chairman of the ICNL’s Editorial Board was conferred with CON while the trio of Olorunyomi, Ajibade and Kehinde bagged the honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON).

Late Bagauda Kaltho was honoured post-humously with OON.

Also on the honoured list were: Dare Babarinsa, CON; and Nosa Igiebor, OON.

Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka bagged the second highest honour of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), same honour bestowed on the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio; and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Tajudeen Abbas.

Deputy Senate President, Senator Jibrin Ibrahim Barau; and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu; were both honoured with the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR).

Post humous honour were conferred on the following: Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (GCFR), Prof. Humphrey Nwosu (CON), Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (CON), Alhaji Balarabe Musa (CFR), Pa. Alfred Rewani (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), Professor 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), Sen. Ayo Fasanmi (CON), Sen. Polycarp Nwite (CON) and Dr. Nurudeen Olowopopo (CON).

Ken Saro Wiwa (CON), leader of the Ogoni Nine and his fellow travellers: Saturday Dobee (OON), Nordu Eawo (OON), Daniel Gbooko (OON), Paul Levera (OON), Felix Nuate (OON), Baribor Bera (OON), Barinem Kiobel (OON), and John Kpuine (OON) were also given post-humous award.

Others on the list of living honourees are: Prof. Olatunji Dare (CON), the journalist and journalism teacher; Kunle Ajibade (OON); Ayo Obe (OON), 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), 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), Sen. Abu Ibrahim (CFR), and Sen. Ame Ebute (CFR).