By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday conferred national honours on several prominent Nigerians, including Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, Kaduna State Governor Senator Uba Sani, and former senator and rights activist Shehu Sani, in commemoration of Nigeria’s 2025 Democracy Day.
The awards, presented during a special ceremony held in Abuja, were described by observers as a reflection of national unity and federal character, recognising individuals who have made notable contributions to democracy, human rights, journalism, and governance.
Prof. Soyinka was decorated with the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), one of the country’s highest honours. Others honoured with the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) include:
Senator Shehu Sani
Governor Uba Sani
Femi Falana (SAN), renowned human rights lawyer
Ayo Obe, constitutional lawyer and activist
Dayo Babarinsa, veteran journalist
Bayo Onanuga, presidential aide and journalist
Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi
Felix Morka, APC National Publicity Secretary
Prof. Bayo Williams
Ken Saro-Wiwa (posthumously)
Others who received the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) award include:
Labaran Maku, former Information Minister
Dr. Tunji Alausa, Minister of State for Health
Also honoured was Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, former Minister of External Affairs, who received the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) title.
The ceremony drew accolades from across political and civil society circles. Speaking after the event, some recipients and guests described the recognition as a tribute to Nigeria’s democratic resilience and the enduring role of its champions.
“This is indeed an award of unity and federal character,” one official remarked, noting the diversity and national spread of the awardees.
President Tinubu, in his Democracy Day address, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to upholding democratic values and national cohesion, adding that the awards served to honour courage, sacrifice, and public service.
