Lagos Celebrates Tinubu, Soyinka, Ajibulu, and Other Pro‑Democracy Figures

Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka, and All Progressives Congress (APC) leader and pro‑democracy activist Chief Segun Ajibulu were among the Nigerians honoured in Lagos on Wednesday for their contributions to the fight against military rule and the establishment of democracy in Nigeria.

The recognitions were presented by the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) during the public launch of NADECO Story, a book written by former NADECO general secretary and spokesperson Ayo Opadokun, at the MUSON Centre in Lagos.

The event, which attracted several prominent figures from across the country, aimed to celebrate individuals and institutions that played pivotal roles in the arduous campaign to restore democratic governance after the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.

Among the dignitaries in attendance were former Ogun State governor Rasheed Ladoja, Vanguard Newspapers publisher Segun Osoba, rights activist Sam Amuka, and Olisa Agbakoba, among others.

During the ceremony, Opadokun singled out Chief Ajibulu for special commendation, calling him an “unsung hero” of the pro‑democracy struggle who made enormous sacrifices at great personal risk to secure the return of democratic rule.

He noted that Ajibulu, who was based in the United States during the military era, frequently returned to Nigeria covertly to collaborate with other democracy activists in the sustained campaign against military dictatorship.

Ajibulu, founder of the Segun Ajibulu Foundation, received the prestigious “Hero of Democracy Award” in recognition of his contributions to the June 12 struggle and the restoration of democratic governance in Nigeria.

He was honoured alongside several other notable personalities and institutions acknowledged for their steadfast commitment to Nigeria’s democratic liberation struggle.

Posthumous awards were also presented to late pro‑democracy icons including Adekunle Ajasin, Abraham Adesanya, Ken Saro‑Wiwa, Kudirat Abiola, Chima Ubani and Bamidele Aturu, among others.

The event also recognised the sacrifices of foreign allies, pro‑democracy organisations and media establishments that stood firmly behind the struggle for the restoration of the June 12 mandate and Nigeria’s return to civilian rule.

Participants at the ceremony described Ajibulu as a steadfast democrat, grassroots mobiliser and frontline advocate whose commitment during one of Nigeria’s most turbulent political periods contributed significantly to the country’s democratic rebirth.

The ceremony served as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by patriots, activists and institutions whose courage helped shape Nigeria’s democratic journey.