President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was yesterday honoured by the Alliance for Yoruba Democratic Movements (AYDM), a coalition of 121 Pan-Yoruba groups spread across the South West states, including Edo, Delta, Kogi and Kwara states.
The gathering in Lagos was attended by over 1,500 people drawn from the South West states and Yoruba groups in the West Coast, Northern and Southern Nigeria to mark the June 12, Democracy Day.
Also honoured were Governors Abiodun Oyebanji of Ekiti; Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos and a former Governor of Ekiti, Dr Kayode Fayemi.
In the posthumous category, awards were given to Pa Alfred Rewane and Dr Beko Ransome.
The leadership awards were given in recognition of the recipients’ contributions to the June 12 struggle and sustainable democratic development in Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen democratic culture.
The event had as its theme: “30 Years After June 12: The Strategy for Sustainable Democratic Development in Nigeria.”
Tinubu received the Distinguished Award for Hard Work, Diligence and Resilience for Democracy, while Sanwo-Olu received the Distinguished Award for Governance and Sustainable Development in Yorubaland.
Sanwo Olu, represented by his Deputy, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, who noted that the awards were timely, said the awards were an indication that the spirit of solidarity, trust, and grassroots support needed for democracy to thrive remains alive.
Hamzat also received the awards on behalf of President Tinubu.