President Bola Tinubu has bestowed national honours upon 50 distinguished Nigerians, recognising their significant contributions to the democratic struggle. Among the awardees is Sir Ademola Osinubi, the former Managing Director of PUNCH Nigeria Limited. This announcement was made during his June 12, 2026, Democracy Day address.
Tinubu Awards National Honors to PUNCH’s Sir Osinubi and Others
The honorees include a diverse group of individuals such as journalists, lawyers, and retired military personnel. Many of these recipients endured severe repercussions, including imprisonment and exile, during Nigeria’s fight for democracy.
Notable Recipients
- Sir Ademola Osinubi: Celebrated for his 45 years of service at PUNCH, Osinubi rose through the ranks to eventually serve as managing director and editor-in-chief for 27 years. He retired on April 30, 2022.
- Segun Babatope: Former editorial board chairman of Concord Newspapers.
- Dr. Oladele Alake: A former editor of Sunday Concord and now Minister of Solid Minerals Development.
- Olatunji Bello: Former editor of Sunday Concord and current Chairman of the Editorial Board of THISDAY.
- Niran Malaolu: A honoree who was imprisoned during the Abacha regime.
This awards ceremony features both living and posthumous recognitions. Those who received posthumous awards include Dr. Arthur Nwankwo, a notable member of the National Democratic Coalition.
Honouring the Soldiers of Democracy
In addition to civilian honourees, Tinubu recognised 17 retired military officers. These individuals, described as “soldier-democrats of the June 12 struggle,” faced various repercussions for supporting democratic ideals. Among these are:
- Maj Gen MA Garba
- Brig Gen Lawal Jaafaru Isa
- Col Umar Farouk Ahmed
- Col Lawan Gwadabe
- Brig Jonathan Ndam Temlong
Notably, Col Sambo Dasuki, who later became National Security Adviser, was also honoured.
The Impact of Honouring Contributions
In his address, President Tinubu commended the contributions of various groups, stating that the best tribute is to enhance the democratic institutions established through their sacrifices. He emphasised the importance of building a Nigeria that upholds freedom and accountability.
Over the past three years, Tinubu has recognised a total of 1,112 individuals with national honours, surpassing the awards given during previous administrations. A complete list detailing the specific honours will be released shortly by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
