Public Disgrace: President Tinubu Blindly Confers Posthumous Award to Two Living Nationalists.
Chigozie Marquis
It’s unfortunate how Nigeria is turning into a blind Country with the Presidency Conferment of posthumous honorary Award to two elderly living state man.
In June 12, 2025, Democratic Day celebration, President Ahmed Bola Tinubu in his failed attempt to plead the concise of Nigeria amid hunger and suffering decided to throw an unnecessary Funfair by awarding posthumous honorary award to some of his Late friends include unknown and blindly joining some persons that are still alive and healthy to the posthumous list, Elder Reuben Fasoranti and Dr Edwin Madunagu respectively
This is a national blunder and an indication of case of gross incompetents by the Presidency which deserve serious scrutiny before the Public Apology by the Media Aide to avoid reoccurrence such administration lapses, failures and disgrace to the nation.
In his apology letter, President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s Media Aide on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, stated that “The Presidency has apologized to Nigerians following an error in the list of honorees announced during President Bola Tinubu’s Democracy Day address to a joint session of the National Assembly”.
In a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Thursday, “the Presidency acknowledged that two respected figures, Reuben Fasoranti and Edwin Madunagu, were mistakenly listed among recipients of posthumous awards”.
In the statement, Onanuga described the inclusion as an unfortunate oversight and assured Nigerians that the error would be promptly corrected across all official State House digital platforms.
The statement read: “During his Democracy Day address at the joint session of the National Assembly earlier today, President Bola Tinubu announced a list of pro-democracy activists and national figures to be honoured for their significant contributions to the restoration of democratic governance in Nigeria.
“Under the Posthumous Award category, the names of Pa Reuben Fasoranti, the Afenifere leader, and Dr. Edwin Madunagu were incorrectly included.
“Both distinguished individuals are very much alive and, therefore, should not have appeared in the posthumous category.
“We sincerely regret this oversight. We shall make the necessary corrections across all State House digital platforms.”
Recall that Tinubu honoured Kudirat Abiola, Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, activist Ken Saro-Wiwa and others with posthumous national honours.
The president had earlier in November 2024 promised to bridge historical grievances in Nigeria.
Recall that the military administration of a former Head of State, the late Sani Abacha, executed Saro-Wiwa and other activists in 1995 after they were accused of murder.
Others were Saturday Dobee, Nordu Eawo, Daniel Gbooko, Paul Levera, Felix Nuate, Baribor Bera, Barinem Kiobel, and John Kpuine.
In June last year, Tinubu’s administration declared June 12 a Democracy Day public holiday to mark a turning point of Nigeria’s democracy.
