Abubakar Dangiwa Umar, a retired colonel and prominent June 12 advocate, has expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for the national honour bestowed on him.
On June 12, Tinubu conferred national honours on 66
Nigerians in recognition of their service to the nation.
Umar’s name was not on the initial list of the June 12
honourees announced on Democracy Day. The president said his name was
inadvertently left out of the list and was later included.
Umar was conferred with the honour of the Commander of the
Federal Republic (CFR). The award recognises his role in the struggle to
validate the June 12, 1993, election and affirm MKO Abiola’s mandate.
Tinubu described Umar as a “soldier of democracy”, adding
that the national honour was a recognition of his courage and steadfastness in
the struggle for democracy.
In a statement on Sunday, Umar said his initial reaction was
to question why he was the only one honoured among his peers, given the many
unsung heroes who risked their careers and lives during the struggle.
He said while he was a leader within the military movement, many others contributed significantly but remained anonymous.
Umar added that Abiola won 80% votes of the armed forces.
“When the President called to inform me of his decision to
magnanimously confer on me the the National Award of Commander of the Federal
Republic, CFR, on account of my much advertised role in the struggle for the
validation of the June 12th election and affirmation of Chief MKO Abiola’s
mandate, my first reaction was why only me and not all those unsung heroes.
Those officers and men who actively participated in that struggle, risking
their careers and even lives,” the statement reads.
“Although I was one of the leaders of that movement within
the military, my contribution was by no means bigger than theirs. While I have
been recognised and celebrated, including this National Honour by the
President, they have remained anonymous.
“It is therefore incumbent upon me to reveal the identity of
these patriots if only to acknowledge and commend their contributions to the
emergence of the current democratic dispensation.The fact that Chief Abiola,
the presumed winner of the June 12th election won over 80% of the Armed Forces
votes, clearly demonstrated the contribution of the other members of the
military. I should add that this list is
by no means exhaustive. There are a lot more participants who have remained
unknown to me since they served under others. I apologise to all those whose
names I must have missed. May God recognise and reward your sacrifice.”
Umar listed some officers “who played vital roles”,
including MA Garba, his deputy at the armoured corps centre and school, “who
continued their plans despite arrests and retirements in 1993”.
He mentioned other notable names including Saad Abubakar,
the incumbent Sultan of Sokoto; Sambo Dasuki, former national security adviser
(NSA); and Olagunsoye Oyinlola, former governor of Osun.
Other names Umar mentioned were Lawal Jaafaru Isa, UF Ahmed,
ML Gwadabe, J. Temlong, Musa Shehu, Chris Eze, HM Dzarma, Isa Jibrin, JOS
Oshanupin, A. Oloruntoba, Moke, and Happy Bulus.
On his list were Colonels J Okai and E. Ndubueze; Lt. Cols
Yakubu Muazu and Yahaya Abubakar (current Etsu Nupe); Abba Maimalari, Jamil
Tahir, Buzugbe, LP Aprezi, MK Yake, J Dawah, Suleiman Wali, Dauda Komo, Lucky
Torrie, JS Zaruwa, M Sumaye, Sani Bawa, Ndaliman, Ahmed, M Bawa; Lt. Col JB
Ahmadu; and Captains Junaid Bindawa and Lar.
Umar called on leaders at all levels to govern with
integrity, fear of God, and respect for democratic principles.
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com