Two Ex-Kano Correspondents Chapel Members Make Tinubu’s Honours List
By Ahmad Tijjani Abdul
KANO — Two former members of the Kano Correspondents Chapel, Osa Director and Babajide Kolade-Otitoju, have been named among recipients of national honours announced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in recognition of their contributions to Nigeria’s democratic struggle.
Tinubu unveiled the honours during his Democracy Day address on Thursday, paying tribute to journalists, activists, labour leaders and other pro-democracy campaigners who stood against military rule and fought for the restoration of democratic governance.
The President said the awardees were Nigerians who “suffered persecution, endured indignities, exile, incarceration, and, at times, solitary confinement, so that we have democracy today.”
Osa Director and Kolade-Otitoju, both respected journalists with previous ties to the Kano Correspondents Chapel, were listed among media professionals recognised for their roles in defending democratic values during some of the nation’s most turbulent political periods.
Tinubu acknowledged the sacrifices made by journalists and other democracy advocates, noting that their courage helped secure the freedoms Nigerians enjoy today.
“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,” he said.
The President described June 12 as a defining moment in Nigeria’s history and stressed the need to preserve the democratic institutions built on the sacrifices of patriots across the country.
He said the national honours were intended to celebrate individuals whose commitment to freedom, justice and accountable governance helped shape modern democratic Nigeria.
The full list of honourees, Tinubu added, will be formally released in the coming days.
Reacting to the development, a longstanding member of the Chapel, Mohammed Kabir Ya’u, commended the President for the honor.
Ya’u explained that the two journalists deserve the award considering their quantum contributions and sacrifices to press freedom in Nigeria.