President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has conferred national honours on several Nigerians, including Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, slain environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa, human rights lawyer Femi Falana, and Catholic Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah.
The honours, announced during Tinubu’s address to a joint session of the National Assembly in Abuja on Thursday, were awarded in recognition of the recipients’ unwavering commitment to democracy, justice, press freedom, and national development.
Prof. Soyinka was decorated with the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), Nigeria’s second-highest national honour. Others were awarded various honours including Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), and Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR).
Among those honoured are journalists, legal luminaries, political figures, civil rights activists, and posthumous recipients.
Full List Of Awardees:
1. Prof. Wole Soyinka (GCON)
2. Prof. Olatunji Dare (CON)
3. Kunle Ajibade (OON)
4. Nosa Igiebor (OON)
5. Dapo Olorunyomi (OON)
6. Bayo Onanuga (CON)
7. Ayo Obe (OON)
8. Dare Babarinsa (CON)
9. Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah (CON)
10. Senator Shehu Sani (CON)
11. Governor Uba Sani (CON)
12. Barrister Femi Falana, SAN (CON)
13. Prof. Shafideen Amuwo (CON)
14. Barrister Luke Aghanenu (OON)
15. Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi (CON)
16. Hon. Labaran Maku (OON)
17. Dr. Tunji Alausa (CON)
18. Mr Nick Dazang (OON)
19. Hon Abdul Oroh (OON)
20. Odia Ofeimun (CON)
21. Seye Kehinde (OON)
22. Barrister Felix Morka (CON)
23. Barrister Ledum Mitee (CON)
24. Hon. Olawale Osun (CON)
25. Dr. Amos Akingba (CON)
26. Prof. Segun Gbadegesin (CON)
27. Mobolaji Akinyemi (CFR)
28. Dr. Kayode Shonoiki (CON)
29. Prof. Julius Ihonvbere (CON)
30. Prof. Bayo Williams (CON)
31. Sen. Abu Ibrahim (CFR)
32. Sen. Ame Ebute (CFR)
33. Uncle Sam Amuka Pemu
34. Ken Saro Wiwa (CON)
35. Saturday Dobee (OON)
36. Nordu Eawo (OON)
37. Daniel Gbooko (OON)
38. Paul Levera (OON)
39. Felix Nuate (OON)
40. Baribor Bera (OON)
41. Barinem Kiobel (OON)
42. John Kpuine (OON)
The article was originally published on Politics Nigeria.