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
    3 weeks 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
    3 weeks ago
    UN
    North Africa: Green Climate Fund Approves Record $300m For FAO-designed Projects In Papua New Guinea, Saint Lucia, The Sahel
    3 weeks ago
    UNICEF
    How Wars Across Middle East, North Africa Affecting Children – UNICEF
    3 weeks ago
    UNDP
    UN Development Programme Welcomes Historic Deal On Sustainable Development Even Amidst Global Turmoil
    4 weeks ago
  • Africa
    Africa
    Show More
    Top News
    Human Rights Watch Kicks Over 10-Year Jail Term Giving Burundian Journalist
    2 years ago
    Democracy In Africa In Crisis, Afrobarometer Warns
    2 years ago
    Hopesalive Initiative for Africa
    Queen Temitope Enitan-Ogunwusi Receives African Award In Ethiopia
    2 years ago
    Latest News
    At Gender Statistics Forum, African Leaders Urge Renewed Commitment To Quality Gender Data
    3 weeks ago
    Ooni’s Wife, Olori Temitope Enitan-Ogunwusi Takes Ile Ife Royalty To ADWIN Launch In Cote d’Ivoire
    1 month ago
    Independent UN Body Finds Systemic Racism Against Africans And People Of African Descent
    1 month ago
    Public Exit: Why South Africa Businesses Are Moving To Private Cloud
    2 months ago
  • Corporate News
    • Media Outreach
  • Politics
    Politics
    Show More
    Top News
    Peter Obi’s Big Win In Lagos Set Social Media On ‘Fire’
    2 years ago
    Tayo Ayinde, A Leading Choice For Nigerian President-Elect’s Chief Of Staff
    2 years ago
    15th BRICS Summit
    Timi Frank Blasts Shettima For Gloating Over Predetermined Tribunal Judgement
    2 years ago
    Latest News
    Gov Adeleke’s Outburst Against Aregbesola Shows Sign Of A Drowning Man – ADC Group
    6 days ago
    Youth Party Releases Primary Election Guidelines Ahead of August 16 Bye-Elections
    2 weeks ago
    Youth Party Appreciate Voters, Rejects Lagos Council Polls, Alleges Widespread Rigging
    2 weeks ago
    Lagos LG Poll: APC’s Osagie Daniel Coasting Home To Victory In Amuwo Odofin’s Ward K
    2 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
    BREAKING: EFCC Arrests Abdullahi Bashir Haske Over Alleged Money Laundering and Corruption
    1 day ago
    X3M Ideas, SO&U, Noah’s Ark, Others Shine At AAAN Gala Night
    5 days ago
    CAPPA Condemns UI’s Suspension Of Student Activists, Urges Reinstatement
    1 week ago
    She Was an Amazon Who Left Indelible Marks — Ayorinde Pays Tribute to Late Ambassador Adefope
    3 weeks ago
  • Entertainment
    • Comedy
    • Movies
    • Music
    • Television
    • Concert & Events
    Entertainment
    Show More
    Top News
    Keep Up With Gripping Story Of ‘The Rishantes’ Showing On GOtv 
    3 years ago
    DStv Media Sales – MIPAN Conference Explores Role Of Video Content In Building Brand Loyalty
    2 years ago
    Sporting Lagos Beat Remo Stars To Emerge Naija Super 8 Champions
    2 years ago
    Latest News
    Unlock More for Less as Big Brother Naija Season 10 Beckons
    5 days ago
    Purp vs Raymu: Who Will Be Crowned The Next Nigerian Idol?
    3 weeks ago
    Local Content Powers African Dreams
    3 weeks ago
    The Drama Returns As BBNaija ‘No Loose Guard’ Reunion Premieres June 23
    1 month ago
  • Lifestyle
    • Fashion
    • Love & Life
    • Food & Drink
    • Travel & Tourism
    • Relationship
    • Sex
    Lifestyle
    Show More
    Top News
    The Language Of Christmas Is Love By Most Rev. Badejo
    3 years ago
    HEPHZIBAH News: The Truth About Deeper Life Exposes
    1 year ago
    Lagos SWAN Holds Cultural Sports And Traditional Fashion Fiesta
    2 years ago
    Latest News
    Noble Call to Service: Inside the Induction of 104 New Knights of St. Mulumba
    1 month ago
    Joining The Knighthood Brings You Closer To God -Sir Eva Njemanze
    1 month ago
    Africa Tech Festival Unveils Strategic Themes For 2025 Event,
    1 month ago
    Lagos SWAN Joins UN To Celebrate World Nutrition Month At Unilag Confab
    2 months ago
  • Business
    • Banking & Finance
    • Oil & Gas
    BusinessShow More
    Petralon's Nigerian Drilling Campaign to Boost Offshore Oil Output
    Petralon’s Nigerian Drilling Campaign To Boost Offshore Oil Output
    3 weeks ago
    Year 2025
    How Nigeria Can Unleash Its Economic Potential – IMF
    3 weeks ago
    GTCO Plc Becomes 1st West Africa’s Financial Services Institution To Achieve Listing And Trading Of Its Ordinary Shares On London Stock Exchange
    3 weeks ago
    Unity Bank
    Unity Bank Empowers Young Entrepreneurs With ₦16M Business Grant
    3 weeks ago
    NNPCL Board Accused Of Planning Lavish Party In Rwanda Amidst N210tn Financial Scandal
    1 month ago
  • Health
    Health
    Show More
    Top News
    WHO
    WHO Raises Alarm Over Rise In Cholera Cases In Nigeria, Malawi, Cameroon, 7 Other Africa Nations
    2 years ago
    Tackling Preventable Diseases, Africa Needs To Vaccinate 33m Children To Put Progress Back On Track
    2 years ago
    USAID
    United States Partners Woman-Owned Nigerian Company To Fight Malnutrition
    2 years ago
    Latest News
    AIDS Society Welcomes US Bipartisan Move To Protect PEPFAR
    5 days ago
    SSB Tax: Industry Actors, Paid Mouthpieces Slammed Over Campaign To Stop CAPPA
    2 weeks ago
    CAPPA Warns Nigerians On Excessive Consumption Of Sugar-sweetened Beverages, Says Nigeria Is In The Throes Of Public Health Crisis
    3 weeks ago
    Rising Non-communicable Diseases: WHO Wants Higher Taxes For Sugary Drinks, Alcohol, Tobacco
    3 weeks 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
1 month 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

President Tinubu Puts Loyal Ally In Deep Freeze: The Prince And The Power Struggle At NNPC

Fr Nwebe Joy’s Blatant Attacks on Evang Ebuka Obi: The Pull-Him-Down Syndrome

PR Maestro of a Generation: Celebrating Dr. Omoniyi Ibietan’s Multilayered Impact on Strategic Communication in Africa

Buhari’s Shocker: I Look Forward To Leaving, And When It’s Time, I Go To My Grave

Impact Of Fake Colleagues In The Workplace By Timi Olubiyi, Ph.D.

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?