By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Independent News ExpressIndependent News Express
  • Home
  • International
    InternationalShow More
    United Nations
    4th International Conference On Financing For Development Delivers Renewed Hope And Action For Sustainable Development
    4 months ago
    The African Development Bank and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) scale up drive for sustainable urbanization in Africa
    AfDB, UN-Habitat Scale Up Drive For Sustainable Urbanisation In Africa
    4 months ago
    UN
    North Africa: Green Climate Fund Approves Record $300m For FAO-designed Projects In Papua New Guinea, Saint Lucia, The Sahel
    4 months ago
    UNICEF
    How Wars Across Middle East, North Africa Affecting Children – UNICEF
    4 months ago
    UNDP
    UN Development Programme Welcomes Historic Deal On Sustainable Development Even Amidst Global Turmoil
    4 months ago
  • Africa
    Africa
    Show More
    Top News
    Human Rights Watch Kicks Over 10-Year Jail Term Giving Burundian Journalist
    3 years ago
    Democracy In Africa In Crisis, Afrobarometer Warns
    3 years ago
    Hopesalive Initiative for Africa
    Queen Temitope Enitan-Ogunwusi Receives African Award In Ethiopia
    2 years ago
    Latest News
     South Africa’s Think 20: Experts Address How Africa Can Bridge Digital Divide And Achieving Financial Inclusion
    4 weeks ago
    U.S. Africa Command Commander Visits West Africa, Underscores Partnership In Addressing Evolving Terrorism Threat
    1 month ago
    West Africa Regional Preparatory Workshop For COP30 On Climate Change Opens In Dakar
    1 month ago
    Systemic Racism Against Africans And People Of African Descent In Criminal Justice Systems Is Pervasive
    1 month ago
  • Corporate News
    • Media Outreach
  • Politics
    Politics
    Show More
    Top News
    Nobody Can Hijack Our Mandate, Vows Osun Gov, Adeleke
    3 years ago
    PDP To Osun People: Oyetola Is A ‘Political Leprosy’, Run For Cover
    3 years ago
    UI Alumni Association Hails Okowa’s Giant Strides In Delta State
    2 years ago
    Latest News
    Ex-Pres. Jonathan’s Senior Special Assistant, Dr. Dudafa Dumps PDP For APC
    1 week ago
    Senate President Akpabio Engages Young Progressives in Mentorship Conversation at the Youth House
    2 weeks ago
    Minister of Women Affairs Visits APC Youth House To Mark International Day Of Girl Child
    3 weeks ago
    EU, ADC Parley: Calls for Electoral Reforms To Guarantee Free, Fair, Credible Polls In Nigeria
    3 weeks ago
  • News
    • Agriculture
    • Breaking News
    • Tech
    • Maritime
    • Crime
    • Art & Culture
    News
    Show More
    Top News
    Ondo Governor, Akeredolu Begins Construction Of First Flyover In Akure
    2 years ago
    Celebration Of Life: Reverend Adewumi Jegede Of Later House Of God Assembly Buried Amid Pomp
    1 year ago
    Pa Abdulfatah Amoo Ayanwale
    Pa Ayanwale Dies At 76, Fidau Prayers Holds 8 August
    2 years ago
    Latest News
    All Eyes On Nigeria, As Lagos Set To Host Groundbreaking Giving Tuesday Festival On 2 December
    1 day ago
    Alleged N532m Debt: Court Orders Bank To Takes Over Abudu Family’s Firm
    3 days ago
    Popoola-Taiwo Legal Practitioners, Shipper’s Council Resolve 3-years Dispute Between Logistics Firms Via ADR
    5 days ago
    Final Journey of Ezinne Juliana Anyanwu To Begin January 2026 In Nguru
    5 days ago
  • Entertainment
    • Comedy
    • Movies
    • Music
    • Television
    • Concert & Events
    Entertainment
    Show More
    Top News
    Nigeria’s Glo(W)Ing Entertainment Industry: 19 Years Of Strategic Partnership
    3 years ago
    2023 Polls: Stay Tuned To These Channels On GOtv For Breaking News And Analysis 
    3 years ago
    Family, Friends Celebrate As Princess Zara Raji Turns Two
    2 years ago
    Latest News
    GOtv Stream vs. Traditional TV: Why Viewers Are Loving the Flexibility
    1 month ago
    Securing Africa’s Digital Future: Entertainment in Safe Hands
    1 month ago
    BBNaija S10: Joanna, Mide, and Isabella Clash as Denari and Tracy Exit the House
    1 month ago
    Akamai Adaptive Media Player 2: Bitmovin And Akamai Set New Streaming Standard
    2 months ago
  • Lifestyle
    • Fashion
    • Love & Life
    • Food & Drink
    • Travel & Tourism
    • Relationship
    • Sex
    Lifestyle
    Show More
    Top News
    Ilara-Epe Kingdom To Confer Chieftaincy Title On Trinidad and Tobago Envoy
    2 years ago
    Kida, Ejidike Felicitate With Nigerians On Christmas And New Year Celebrations 
    3 years ago
    Heritage Confectionery
    ADICC set for Irish African Food Festival
    1 year ago
    Latest News
    Faith On The Move: Legion of Mary Lights Up Owerri With Inspiring October Devotion Procession
    1 day ago
    The Day Mourners Rebelled in Church By Babafemi Ojudu
    2 weeks ago
    Ambassador Raffy Bello Greets Imperial Majesty, Ooni Enitan-Ogunwusi, As Olojo Festival Begins In Ile-Ife
    1 month ago
    Preserving African Culture: Polaris Bank , Chivita, And Danone Support CIKDAS’ Youth Literary Initiative
    2 months ago
  • Business
    • Banking & Finance
    • Oil & Gas
    BusinessShow More
    Financial Action Task Force Removes Nigeria From Grey List
    3 days ago
    Unity Bank Shareholders Approve Merger With Providus Bank
    1 month ago
    Yomi Joseph Digital Pr Launches 360° Marketing Solutions To Transform Brands Into Industry Leaders
    1 month ago
    Gov Abiodun Showcases Ogun Investment Opportunities At AfCFTA In Algeria
    2 months ago
    Intra-African Trade Fair
    Nigeria To Host Intra-African Trade Fair In 2027
    2 months ago
  • Health
    Health
    Show More
    Top News
    NCDC Activates Lassa Fever Emergency Operations Centre In Nigeria
    3 years ago
    UNAIDS: Fully Financing HIV Response In Africa Will Save Millions Of Lives
    3 years ago
    How To Avoid Urinary Tract Infections During Sex
    2 years ago
    Latest News
    Nigerian Academy Of Pharmacy Inducts 14 New Fellows
    1 week ago
    2025 World Pharmacist Day: Lagos Takes Healthcare To Ikorodu Communities
    4 weeks ago
    World Heart Day: Adopt Healthy Food Policies, CAPPA Tasks FG, States
    4 weeks ago
    Lagos Takes Fight Against HIV To Communities
    1 month ago
  • More
    • Sports
    • Aviation/Transportation
    • Deliverance Hour
    • Industry & Labour
    • Insurance
    • Interview
    • Judiciary
    • Metro
    • Opinion
    • Property
    • Religious
    • Romance
    • Science & Discovery
Reading: Democracy, Conviction, And The True Meaning Of Honor By Babafemi Ojudu
Share
Notification Show More
Aa
Independent News ExpressIndependent News Express
Aa
  • Home
  • International
  • Africa
  • Corporate News
  • Politics
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Business
  • Health
  • More
Search
  • Home
  • International
  • Africa
  • Corporate News
    • Media Outreach
  • Politics
  • News
    • Agriculture
    • Breaking News
    • Tech
    • Maritime
    • Crime
    • Art & Culture
  • Entertainment
    • Comedy
    • Movies
    • Music
    • Television
    • Concert & Events
  • Lifestyle
    • Fashion
    • Love & Life
    • Food & Drink
    • Travel & Tourism
    • Relationship
    • Sex
  • Business
    • Banking & Finance
    • Oil & Gas
  • Health
  • More
    • Sports
    • Aviation/Transportation
    • Deliverance Hour
    • Industry & Labour
    • Insurance
    • Interview
    • Judiciary
    • Metro
    • Opinion
    • Property
    • Religious
    • Romance
    • Science & Discovery
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
  • Advertise
© 2022 Foxiz News Network. Ruby Design Company. All Rights Reserved.
Independent News Express > Blog > Opinion > Democracy, Conviction, And The True Meaning Of Honor By Babafemi Ojudu
Opinion

Democracy, Conviction, And The True Meaning Of Honor By Babafemi Ojudu

Last updated: 2025/06/14 at 7:14 AM
5 months ago
Share
Tinubu
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
SHARE

In recent days, there has been considerable public reaction to the list of honorees announced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in commemoration of Democracy Day. Understandably, questions have been raised about the omission of some individuals who paid dearly in the struggle for democratic governance in Nigeria.

Let me begin by extending my heartfelt congratulations to my colleagues—Dapo Olorunyomi, Bayo Onanuga, Kunle Ajibade, Seye Kehinde, and many others—who have been deservedly recognized for their courage and contribution to the fight for democracy. Their recognition is also, in many ways, recognition of all of us who walked that difficult road. Any honor extended to them is an honor I proudly share.

That said, I feel compelled to clarify that my involvement in the pro-democracy movement was never motivated by the expectation of a national honor. I did what I did—risking my life, enduring imprisonment, torture, and other deprivations—not for reward, but out of conviction and in obedience to my conscience. I believed then, as I still do now, that the Nigerian people deserve freedom, dignity, and the right to determine their future.

- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image

It would be unrealistic, especially in the African political context, to expect magnanimity from a sitting President toward individuals who have been openly critical of his policies or withheld support for his political ambitions. I did not vote for this President in 2023 and have remained vocal about the direction of his administration. I understand, therefore, the political nature of recognition and take no offense in being omitted from the list. As a matter of fact, I remain grateful to the previous administration under President Muhammadu Buhari, which honored me with the national award of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) in 2023. While I did not set out in search of accolades, I accepted that honor in the spirit of national unity and recognition of a shared history.

As we celebrate our colleagues who have been recognized, I believe we should collectively call on President Tinubu to bestow the greatest honor possible—not just on individuals, but on the entire Nigerian populace. That honor lies in good governance.

Nigerians today are facing hardships that, in many cases, rival or even surpass the difficulties experienced under military rule. From economic instability to growing insecurity, from lack of access to basic services to a feeling of disenfranchisement, the promise of democracy seems distant for many of our fellow citizens.

The true dividend of democracy must go beyond symbolic recognition. It must be seen in:
• A free and fair electoral process where every vote counts;
• Strong and accountable political institutions;
• An economy that allows citizens to live with dignity;
• A society where life and property are secure;
• And a government that listens and responds to the people it serves.

This, I believe, is the legacy that those of us who fought for democracy envisioned. And this, I hope, is the path the current administration will embrace.

*Babafemi Ojudu was a Distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

You Might Also Like

Why Fortifying Ultra-Processed Foods Won’t Solve Nigeria’s Nutrition Crisis By Bukola Olukemi-Odele

INEC: An Institution In Need Of Rebirth By Babafemi Ojudu

The Day Mourners Rebelled in Church By Babafemi Ojudu

Nigeria’s Health Financing: Lessons From Canada’s $32.5bn Tobacco Settlement

Nepal Bloodshed: Of Nigeria’s Big Masquerades And Gọntọ By Festus Adedayo

INadminNG June 14, 2025 June 14, 2025
Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Whatsapp LinkedIn Telegram Email Print
Previous Article Owo Is One Association Calls for Revisit and Review of June 12 Heroes Honours List
Next Article New Evolution Cup New Revolution Cup: Igando FC Coach Eyes Victory Against Kings Boys
about us

Independent News Express (iNews Express), a publication of 4Ds Nigeria Limited, is birthed out of the desires of the founding fathers to report News as it is.

We value Professionalism, Excellence, Service, Creativity and Integrity.

The Company

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy & Policy

Quick Links

  • Advertise with us
  • Newsletters
  • Deal

Categories

Find Us on Socials

© Independent News Express. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?