President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday in Kaduna State announced the conferment of a national honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) on the former Military Governor of the State and June 12 activist, Colonel ABubakar Dangiwa Dangiwa (rtd).
Earlier on Thursday, a columnist with Global Upfront Newspapers (GUN), Ike Abonyi, had lamented the exclusion of the foremost fighter for the restoration of the June 12 mandate in a piece titled ‘Col Abubakar Dangiwa Umar (Rtd): The Unremembered June 12 Hero.”
Abonyi had x-rayed Colonel Umar’s “yeoman role” in the June 12 impasse, regretting that “he has continued to be unremembered, while those who took less risk were accommodated.”
According to Ike Aboyi: “In the June 12 struggle, Col. Umar, a Fulani, remains a hero in that pivotal moment in Nigeria’s history of the military’s annulment of the Presidential election won by Chief MKO Abiola. Umar as a serving military officer, showed remarkable courage by speaking out against the annulment and advocating for the restoration of Abiola’s mandate. His action, which helped to up the agitation, led to significant personal cost, including the abrupt end of his fine-growing military career.
“Col Umar reportedly wrote a letter that was leaked to the press to his Commander in Chief, then President Babangida, resigning his commission due to the annulment. He boldly criticised the military regime under the watch of General Babangida for foisting an avoidable crisis on the country.
“By that action, Col Umar as a soldier became a huge advocate for democracy. Even as a member of the military family, Col Umar believed in the importance of upholding the people’s mandate and allowing the winner of the June 12 election, MKO Abiola, to take office. Although his role is well known to many, his name was conspicuously missing when some June 12 heroes were recognised by President Tinubu.
“Umar’s story serves as a testament to the bravery and conviction of individuals who fought for democracy in Nigeria. Even more significant was that he was a Fulani fighting for a Yoruba and a military man advocating for a civilian. What was important to him was the rule of law for everyone involved, regardless of their religion or tribe. His concern was justice for whoever deserves it.”
But speaking later in the day during the inauguration of the Institute of Vocational Training and Skills Development in Rigachikun, Igabi Local Council, 300-bed Bola Ahmed Tinubu Specialist Hospital, Millennium City, and 100 CNG Buses in Kaduna State, President Tinubu said he is correcting “the omission” he made during the democracy day honouring of some Nigerians.
According to Tinubu: “I am happy to be back here. I share a very longstanding and admirable commitment with Kaduna State in politics, business and pursuit of democracy.
“Today, many people are here to receive us, and some are not here. Let me use this opportunity to correct an omission that I made during the democracy day honouring of some Nigerians.
“I missed out the name of Col. Abubakar Dangiwa Umar. I now have the honour of awarding him Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR).”
