President Bola Tinubu has renamed the completed Institute of Petroleum Studies in Kaduna after late General Shehu Musa Yar'Adua, one of the architects of Nigeria's democracy. The institution will now be called the General Shehu Musa Yar'Adua University of Geological Sciences and Engineering Technology.

Tinubu made the announcement on Friday during his address to mark this year's June 12 Democracy Day. He described Yar'Adua as a visionary who believed in national partnership. Yar'Adua served as Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters under the military administration of General Olusegun Obasanjo between 1976 and 1979, before handing over to the Second Republic.

Alongside the renaming, Tinubu announced national honours for 50 Nigerians who suffered persecution, imprisonment, or exile in the fight for democracy. The list includes 34 civilians and 16 military officers.

The civilian honorees come from journalism, law, and civil society. They include Barrister Ayoka Lawani, Tunde Fagbenle, Oladele Alake, Olatunji Bello, Louis Odion, Segun Babatope, Sam Omatseye, Sir Ademola Osinubi, Bola Bolawole, Lade Bonuola, Femi Kusa, Debo Adeniran, Chief Ayo Opadokun, Chief Ralph Obiora, Ose Osayande, Barrister Osa Director, Prof. Sylvester Odion-Akhaine, Dr. Osagie Obayuwana, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, Barrister Titus Mann, Joe Igbokwe, Richard Akinnola, George Mbah, Dr.

Niran Malaolu, Major-General Ishola Williams (rtd), Femi Aborisade, Jenkins Alumona, Gbemiga Ogunleye, Muyiwa Adekeye, Babajide Kolade-Otitoju, and Ike Okonta.

Two posthumous awards go to Dr. Arthur Nwankwo and Ben Charles-Obi.

Tinubu also recognised 16 military officers whom he called "soldier-democrats of the June 12 struggle." They are Major General M.A. Garba, Brigadier General Lawal Jaafaru Isa, Col. Umar Farouk Ahmed, Col. Sambo Dasuki, Col. Lawan Gwadabe, Brigadier Jonathan Ndam Temlong, Col.

Musa Shehu, Major General Chris Eze, Major General Harris Dzarma, Col. Isa Jibrin, Maj. General Joseph Oshanupin, Col. Olusegun Oloruntoba (Olugbede of Gbede Kingdom), Lieutenant Colonel Happy Kefas Bulus, Col. J.

Okai, Col. Emmanuel Ndubueze, and Lt. Col. Yakubu Muazu. Brigadier Yahaya Abubakar, the current Etsu Nupe and a CFR holder, is also on the list.

Tinubu said the full honours list would be released in the coming days.

In his speech, Tinubu reflected on the meaning of June 12. He said the date occupies a sacred place in Nigeria's memory because it represents more than an election — it is a defining chapter of the nation's story.

"27 years ago, many doubted democracy would survive here because of our diversity. Today, our diversity sustains our democracy. The road ahead is steep. But June 12 reminds us: Nigerians don't break. We bend, we bleed, but we don't break."

He remembered Chief M.K.O. Abiola, who won the June 12, 1993, presidential election, and Alhaja Kudirat Abiola. He also named Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Chief Bola Ige, Chief Alfred Rewane, Pa Abraham Adesanya, Chief Anthony Enahoro, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, Commodore Dan Suleiman, Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti, Frank Kokori, Arthur Nwankwo, Chima Ubani, Shehu Musa Yar'Adua, and many others as heroes whose sacrifices secured today's freedoms.

Tinubu said the greatest tribute to these heroes is to build a Nigeria where freedom is protected, justice upheld, opportunity expanded, and government accountable.

"June 12, 1993, revealed the possibility of a true Nigerian nation. The heroes of June 12 secured political freedom. Our challenge is to secure economic freedom. Democracy must be felt in the quality of people's lives — in opportunities for youth, in prosperous farmers, successful entrepreneurs, and the dignity of our workers."

He ended by renewing a covenant: that the labours of heroes past shall never be in vain, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from this land.