In recognition of his enduring vision for national partnership, the Federal Government has paid tribute to the late General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, who served as Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters in the military era.
Consequently, presidential approval has been granted for the revitalization of the completed Institute of Petroleum Studies in Kaduna.
The institution is to be renamed the General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua University of Geological Sciences and Engineering Technology.
Persecondnews recalls that Gen. Yar’Adua had served as the second in command to the transition-to-democracy military administration of the Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo as the Head of State (1976-79 October).
The administration handed over to the second Republic President Shehu Shagari on October 1979.
President Bola Tinubu announced this in his address commemorating this year’s June 12 Democracy Day, describing Yar’Adua as one of the architects of modern democratic Nigeria.
“Among the architects of modern democratic Nigeria, we honour General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua for his vision of national partnership.
“In recognition of his contributions, the Federal Government has approved the revitalisation and renaming of the completed Institute of Petroleum Studies, Kaduna, as the General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua University of Geological Sciences and Engineering Technology,” he said.
Tinubu also announced national honours for several Nigerians who endured intense persecution, incarceration, and exile in their fight for the nation’s democracy.
The civilian honorees—spanning journalism, law, and civil society—include activists, lawyers and media icons: Barrister Ayoka Lawani, Tunde Fagbenle, Oladele Alake, Olatunji Bello, Louis Odion, Segun Babatope, Sam Omatseye, Sir Ademola Osinubi, Bola Bolawole, Lade Bonuola, Femi Kusa, Debo Adeniran, Chief Ayo Opadokun, Chief Ralph Obiora, Ose Osayande, Barrister Osa Director, Prof. Sylvester Odion-Akhaine, Dr. Osagie Obayuwana, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, Barrister Titus Mann, Joe Igbokwe, Richard Akinnola, George Mbah, Dr. Niran Malaolu, Major-General Ishola Williams (rtd), Femi Aborisade, Jenkins Alumona, Gbemiga Ogunleye, Muyiwa Adekeye, Babajide Kolade-Otitoju, and Ike Okonta.
Posthumous Awards: Dr. Arthur Nwankwo and Ben Charles-Obi.
Emphasizing the role of the military in the democratic journey, Tinubu added, “We also recognize the soldier-democrats of the June 12 struggle.”
The honoured military officers are: Major General M.A. Garba, Brigadier General Lawal Jaafaru Isa, Col. Umar Farouk Ahmed, Col. Sambo Dasuki, Col. Lawan Gwadabe, Brigadier Jonathan Ndam Temlong, Col. Musa Shehu, Major General Chris Eze, Major General Harris Dzarma, Col. Isa Jibrin, Maj. General Joseph Oshanupin, Col. Olusegun Oloruntoba (Olugbede of Gbede Kingdom), Lieutenant Colonel Happy Kefas Bulus, Col. J. Okai, Col. Emmanuel Ndubueze, and Lt. Col. Yakubu Muazu.
Brigadier Yahaya Abubakar (the current Etsu Nupe and existing CFR holder).
Tinubu said the honours list would be released in the next few days.
“Fellow Nigerians, 27 years ago, many doubted democracy would survive here because of our diversity. Today, our diversity sustains our democracy. The road ahead is steep. But June 12 reminds us: Nigerians do not break. We bend, we bleed, but we do not break.”
On June 12, Tinubu said it occupies a sacred place in our national memory as it represents more than an election – it is a defining chapter in our story.
“We remember Chief M.K.O. Abiola, who won a pan-Nigerian mandate transcending ethnicity and religion. We remember Alhaja Kudirat Abiola.
“We also remember Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Chief Bola Ige, Chief Alfred Rewane, Pa Abraham Adesanya, Chief Anthony Enahoro, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, Commodore Dan Suleiman, Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti, Frank Kokori, Arthur Nwankwo, Chima Ubani, Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, and the many other heroes and heroines of democracy whose sacrifices helped secure the freedoms we enjoy today.
“As beneficiaries of their struggle, we have a duty to strengthen and deepen the democratic institutions for which they fought. The greatest tribute we can pay is to build a Nigeria where freedom is protected, justice is upheld, opportunity is expanded, and government is accountable.
“June 12, 1993, revealed the possibility of a true Nigerian nation. The heroes of June 12 secured political freedom. Our challenge is to secure economic freedom. Democracy must be felt in the quality of people’s lives—in opportunities for youth, in prosperous farmers, successful entrepreneurs, and the dignity of our workers.
”Let us renew our covenant: That the labours of our heroes past shall never be in vain, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from this land,” said President Tinubu.
He pointed out that Nigeria is not only celebrating democracy but also the enduring Nigerian spirit, citing 27 unbroken years, since May 29, 1999, Nigerians have chosen their leaders through the ballot, witnessed peaceful transitions of power, and resolved disagreements in courtrooms and legislative chambers—not through violence.
According to him, the country has experienced the longest stretch of civilian rule in our history.
He restated: “Our democracy is not perfect, but it is ours, and we must continue to defend and strengthen it.
“In the coming days, Ekiti and Osun States will hold elections. I urge INEC, security agencies, and all parties to ensure these polls are peaceful and credible. Democracy fails when citizens doubt the process.
“To our National Assembly, Judiciary, the Press, and Civil Society: you are the guardrails of our republic. Criticise me, disagree with me, but never stop believing in Nigeria.
‘To our young people: Nigeria is your home and your future. Build here, code here, work here, and vote here. Every great nation was built by those who stayed to solve problems, not by those who abandoned ship.
“To our armed forces, police, and intelligence services: Nigeria salutes your sacrifice. To our traditional rulers, faith leaders, and community heads: thank you for your support of peace and reconciliation. The government cannot do it alone.
“Today, we honour the resilience of Nigerians who refused to surrender their faith in freedom, and the courage of those who stood firm against intimidation. We pay tribute to patriots who endured persecution, imprisonment, exile, and even death so that future generations could enjoy democracy.
“I salute labour leaders, journalists, activists, students, women, professionals, political leaders, and soldiers—both those who have passed and those still with us—for their patriotic contributions.”
Noting that although this year’s mood is dampened by the abduction of our children in Oyo and Borno, the president said the government remain hopeful for their safe return.
Drawing a nexus between democracy and security, Tinubu declared: “Democracy without security is a mirage. That is why this administration declared a security emergency and approved the recruitment of more than 50,000 new police officers and thousands of military recruits. Our 2026 budget commits N5.41 trillion—our largest ever—to defence and security. Our administration is ever ready to do much more to secure our people.
“We have moved from training with our allies, the United States, France and other European countries, to precision targeting. In Arege, Borno State, we degraded ISWAP’s command centre. Terror-related deaths are down by 81% since 2015. Over 13,000 terrorists have been neutralised in the past year.
“But we also keep the door of surrender open. Over 124,000 fighters and dependents have laid down their arms since 2023 through Operation Safe Corridor.
“To bandits, kidnappers, and sponsors of terror: Surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian State. These windows of surrender will not remain open forever. No mercy will be shown to those who trade in the blood of Nigerians.
“At a time like this, let us not assign blame or point fingers. Crime has no ethnicity. We must stand united and be assured that the enemies of our nation shall soon be history. We will triumph over terror and continue to build a more prosperous nation.”