DEMOCRACY DAY: Tinubu honours top journalists, generals, others for roles in struggle

On the 2026 Democracy Day, President Bola Tinubu awarded national honors to 51 eminent Nigerians, including media icons, pro-democracy activists, and retired military officers who fought against military dictatorship during the June 12 struggle. Recipients include media veterans Lade Bonuola, Femi Kusa, Sir Ademola Osinubi, and Dele Alake, as well as 'soldier-democrats' such as Col. Sambo Dasuki and Major-General Ishola Williams. Tinubu also announced the renaming of the Institute of Petroleum Studies, Kaduna, to General Shehu Musa Yar'Adua University of Geological Sciences and Engineering Technology. On security, he revealed a record N5.41 trillion defense budget and warned bandits and kidnappers to surrender.