Abuja, Nigeria – Naija no dey carry last for honour! So, one pro-democracy group wey sabi how the matter dey, Quintessential Professionals, don call on President Bola Tinubu make him add more people to the national honours list. Dem wan make sure say all the padi dem wey don fight for democracy no go remain unrecognised, especially those wey don dey overlooked.
Stanley Dunia, the group coordinator, no hide him mouth as he gist dis matter on Saturday. E praise Tinubu for honouring some true heroes of democracy during the National Assembly joint session wey happen on June 12, but him talk say make the president make am big pass dat. “We need make dem review dis list and add more deserving people wey go get honour, including some wey don pass away,” he talk.
Mr. Tinubu, during him address, don already give this honour to some big players, wey include journalists and activists wey scatter ground for dem fight against military rule. Notable names like Dapo Olorunyomi, the brains behind PREMIUM TIMES, don collect Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON). E no stop there; even Kunle Ajibade, wey serve time during Abacha regime, join for the honours. Bayo Onanuga too, wey don waka enter Tinubu government as presidential spokesperson, collect Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON). Big ups to all of dem!
But, as expected, dem wan ensure say everybody wey don contribute no go dey dull. Stanly and him padi dem specifically mention Walter Carrington, the late US Ambassador wey stand for Nigeria during the dark days of Abacha. Dem collect evidence say as he serve, he dey always dey talk against injustice. And let’s not forget how he just dey link to Naija through him wife, Arese Carrington. Walter don waka go since August 2020, but e still dey collect respect for him contributions to democracy.
Dis group no just dey stop for Carrington. Dem dey push for recognition for other top players from Afenifere and NADECO too. These group don fight for democracy with everything wey dem get – dem feature names like Ayo Opadokun, Olanihun Ajayi, Cornelius Adebayo, and many more wey don spent time for jail or even run from the country just to keep Nigeria upright. Na wetin we dey call true sacrifice!
Afenifere, you sabi? Na Yoruba socio-political organisation wey dey fight for good governance and regional autonomy since time. Them don always stand for the people, especially against military rule and they dey do the needful to ensure Naija dey run well. NADECO, wey come from 1994, na dem dey lead the fight to bring back democracy after dem cancel June 12, 1993 election wey Abiola win. Dem people suppose get their own honour too!
For all these tussles, one thing we go always remember: democracy no be play matter. E don cost many lives, many people don sacrifice their comfort for the freedom wey we dey enjoy today. So as Mr. Tinubu dey dish out honours, make we no forget those wey don suffer to pave way so our voices fit be heard!
