National Democracy Day: Tinubu Recognizes Outstanding Journalists, Military Leaders, and Other Key Figures for Their Contributions to the Fight

President Bola Tinubu has conferred national awards on 51 distinguished Nigerians, including media personalities, pro-democracy activists, and retired military officers who fought against military rule during the historic June 12 struggle, as the nation commemorates the 2026 Democracy Day.

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In a nationwide broadcast marking 27 years of unbroken civilian rule, Tinubu paid tribute to the late Chief M.K.O Abiola, the winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, and other icons, acknowledging that while Nigeria's democracy is imperfect, it remains the ultimate vehicle for national development.

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Notable recipients of national awards include NADECO chieftains Chief Ayo Opadokun, Chief Ralph Obioha, and Dr. Arthur Nwankwo, as well as media veterans Lade Bonuola, Femi Kusa, Sir Ademola Osinubi, and Dele Alake, alongside activists Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, Richard Akinnola, and Prof. Sylvester Odion-Akhaine.

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Tinubu also recognised "soldier-democrats" who opposed military junta regimes, including Col. Sambo Dasuki, Col. Lawan Gwadabe, Major-General Ishola Williams, and the Etsu Nupe, Brigadier Yahaya Abubakar.

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The President approved the renaming of the Institute of Petroleum Studies, Kaduna, as the General Shehu Musa Yar'Adua University of Geological Sciences and Engineering Technology, in a major institutional honour.

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Addressing the nation's security challenges, particularly recent student abductions in Oyo and Borno states, Tinubu declared that "democracy without security is a mirage," and revealed that the 2026 budget commits a record N5.41 trillion to defence, alongside the recruitment of over 50,000 police officers.

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Tinubu warned that "to bandits, kidnappers, and sponsors of terror: Surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian State," noting that terror-related deaths have dropped by 81% since 2015, while over 13,000 terrorists were neutralized in the past year.

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On the economic front, President Tinubu defended his administration's aggressive reforms, stating they were necessary to salvage public finances, and announced plans to ensure that "democracy is felt in the pocket" of everyday citizens by tackling inflation and boosting local production.

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To resolve the chronic electricity crisis, the President announced that the Presidential Power Sector Task Force has been authorized to raise a N4 trillion bond to clear legacy debts drowning the power value chain.

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Tinubu reaffirmed his commitment to grassroots development, emphasizing his administration's push for full financial autonomy for the 774 local government areas, attributing the rise in rural insecurity to the collapse of local governance.

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Urging the political class and institutions to protect democratic guardrails ahead of the upcoming Ekiti and Osun governorship elections, Tinubu concluded: "The generation of our founding fathers secured independence—the generation of June 12 secured democracy, our generation must secure prosperity."

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President Tinubu celebrated 27 years of unbroken civilian rule, acknowledging that Nigeria's democracy is not perfect but remains the ultimate vehicle for national development, and urged all stakeholders to defend and strengthen it.

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The President recognised the resilience of Nigerians who refused to surrender their faith in freedom and the courage of those who stood firm against intimidation, paying tribute to patriots who endured persecution, imprisonment, exile, and even death for democracy.

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Tinubu acknowledged the abduction of students in Oyo and Borno states, but expressed hope for their safe return, and stated that his administration has declared a security emergency and approved the recruitment of over 50,000 new police officers and thousands of military recruits.

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The President noted that terror-related deaths have dropped by 81% since 2015, and over 13,000 terrorists have been neutralised in the past year, and warned that the windows of surrender for terrorists will not remain open forever.

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Tinubu reflected on the significance of June 12, 1993, in Nigeria's history, remembering Chief M.K.O. Abiola, who won a pan-Nigerian mandate, and other heroes of democracy, and stated that the greatest tribute to their struggle is to build a Nigeria where freedom is protected, justice is upheld, and opportunity is expanded.

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The President emphasised that democracy must be felt in the quality of people's lives, in opportunities for youth, in prosperous farmers, successful entrepreneurs, and the dignity of workers, and announced plans to reduce inflation, expand food production, and create jobs.

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Tinubu acknowledged that his administration's reforms were undertaken out of necessity to salvage public finances, and stated that the next phase is to accelerate growth and ensure the benefits are felt in every home, every community, and every region.

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The President recognised the importance of financial autonomy for local councils, attributing the rise in rural insecurity to the collapse of grassroots governance, and announced plans to ensure that all Nigerians benefit from governance.

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Tinubu honoured General Shehu Musa Yar'Adua for his vision of national partnership, and announced the revitalisation and renaming of the Institute of Petroleum Studies, Kaduna, as the General Shehu Musa Yar'Adua University of Geological Sciences and Engineering Technology.

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The President announced national awards to several Nigerians who suffered persecution, endured indignities, exile, incarceration, and solitary confinement, so that the nation could enjoy democracy today, including Barrister Ayoka Lawani, Tunde Fagbenle, and Oladele Alake.

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Tinubu also recognised the soldier-democrats of the June 12 struggle, including Major General MA Garba, Brigadier General Lawal Jaafaru Isa, and Col Umar Farouk Ahmed, for their contributions to Nigeria's democracy.

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The President concluded his address by urging Nigerians to renew their covenant to defend democracy, and to build a Nigeria united by a common purpose, strengthened by diversity, where justice is accessible, liberty is secure, and opportunity is abundant.

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Tinubu expressed his hope that the labours of Nigeria's heroes past shall never be in vain, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the land, and prayed that God shall bless the heroes of democracy and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.