“Criticize me, disagree with me, but never stop believing in Nigeria”, Tinubu tells citizens on Democracy Day

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged Nigerians, to always have faith in their country whatever the circumstances, even as he challenges the National Assembly, the Judiciary, the media and civil society organizations to continue to act as guardians of democratic governance.

The President in his speech at the Democracy Day celebrations appealed to the young generation to see this country as their future and contribute actively to national development rather than looking for opportunities elsewhere.

He said: “Nigeria is your home and your future. Build here, code here, work here and vote here. Every great country is built by those who stay to solve problems, not by those who abandon ship.”

The President also appreciated members of the armed forces, police, intelligence agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders and community leaders for their role in promoting peace and national cohesion.

The President paid extraordinary tributes to Nigerians who experienced imprisonment, exile, persecution and death during the struggle for democracy, and described them as heroes whose sacrifices made the current democratic dispensation possible.

He saluted the late winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola, and his late wife, Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, as well as other pioneers of democracy.

Former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2018 signed an Executive Order declaring June 12, the date of the historic election won by Abiola but annulled by the military, as Democracy Day. Since then, this day has been celebrated as a public holiday.

The President also awarded national awards to a number of individuals.

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Those on the national recognition list include Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Chief Bola Ige, Chief Alfred Rewane, Senator Abraham Adesanya, Chief Anthony Enahoro, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, Commodore Dan Suleiman, Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti, Chief Frank Kokori, Chief Arthur Nwankwo, Mr Chima Ubani and General Yar’Adua.

Tinubu also announced a national award for the many journalists, activists, lawyers, politicians and civil society leaders who experienced persecution, detention, exile and other hardships during the struggle against military rule.

Many military officers who were persecuted during the pro-democracy struggle were also honored.

They are Ayoka Lawani, Tunde Fagbenle, Oladele Alake, Olatunji Bello, Louis Odion, Segun Babatope, Sam Omatseye, Ademola Osinubi, Bola Bolawole, Lade Bonuola, Femi Kusa, Director Osa, Richard Akinnola, George Mbah, Niran Malaolu, Gbemiga Ogunleye, Jenkins Alumona, Muyiwa Adekeye, Babajide Kolade-Otitoju, Ike Okonta and Ben Charles-Obi (posthumous).

Activists on the list are Debo Adeniran, Ayo Opadokun, Ralph Obiora, Ose Osayande, Sylvester Odion-Akhaine and Arthur Nwankwo (posthumous).

Others are Osagie Obayuwana, Joe Okei-Odumakin, Titus Mann, Joe Igbokwe, Maj. Gen. Ishola Williams (retired) and Femi Aborisade.

The President also acknowledged many military officers, including Maj. Gen. MA Garba, Brig. Lawal Jaafaru Isa, Colonel Umar Farouk Ahmed, Colonel Sambo Dasuki, Colonel Lawan Gwadabe, Brig. Jonathan Ndam Temlong, Colonel Musa Shehu, Maj. Gen. Chris Eze, Maj. Gen. Harris Dzarma, Colonel Isa Jibrin, Maj. Gen. Joseph Oshanupin, Col. Olusegun Oloruntoba, Lt.-Col. Happy Kefas Bulus, Colonel J. Okai, Colonel Emmanuel Ndubueze, Lt. Col. Yakubu Muazu and Brig. Yahaya Abubakar, who is Etsu Nupe.

The President added: “Among the architects of Nigeria’s modern democracy, we honor General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua for his vision of national partnership.

“In recognition of his contribution, the Federal Government has approved the revitalization and renaming of the Institute of Petroleum Studies, Kaduna, to the General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua University of Geological Sciences and Engineering Technology.”

Tinubu said the full list of awards would be released in the coming days.

According to him, the greatest honor Nigerians can pay to heroes is to build a country where freedom is protected, justice is served, opportunity is expanded, and the government remains accountable to the people.

June 12, he said, demonstrated the possibility of Nigerian national unity, noting that although the heroes of the struggle had achieved political freedom, the responsibility of the current generation was to ensure economic freedom.