Former Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, has expressed disappointment over President Bola Tinubu's failure to recognize key members of the Kudirat Radio team in the national honours list announced during Democracy Day celebrations.
Speaking on Channels TV's Politics Today programme on Thursday, Fayemi, who led the Kudirat Radio project during the June 12 struggle, voiced his displeasure that those who risked their lives for democracy were overlooked in the President's recognition.
"Democracy is a journey. Yes, it's partly paid off. It's not completely paid off. I wasn't particularly happy, and I must say this upfront, that those who were the drivers of that project, yes, I led that project, but none of them was recognized today by the President," Fayemi stated.
Unsung Heroes of Nigeria's Democratic Struggle
The former governor specifically mentioned several key figures who played crucial roles in the Kudirat Radio operations but were not acknowledged, including "Late Mr. Yinka Johnson, who coordinated that effort as our technical director, Bola Olayemi, late Daniel Johnson, George Noah, Shola Adeyeye – the senator, was a fiery voice on that radio. Doctor Tajudine, Abdulrahim, so many of the guys who were really involved."
Fayemi acknowledged his role as the face of Radio Kudirat, being responsible for its management, but emphasized that many others risked their lives for the cause who deserve recognition.
BenriNews reported that President Tinubu announced national honours for dozens of Nigerians during his State of the Nation address at the National Assembly on Thursday. Notable honorees included the late Kudirat Abiola, who received a posthumous Commander of the Federal Republic title, and Nobel laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, who was conferred the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger, among others.
Acknowledging Progress While Seeking Complete Recognition
Despite his criticism, Fayemi commended President Tinubu's efforts, stating: "However, one must not undervalue what the president did today. He did the right thing. He built on the legacy that President Buhari already established."
The former governor expressed hope that in the future, "this history can be correctly told and those involved, those who sacrifice and those unsung heroes would all be comprehensively recognized, and the National Monument, the National Museum, would hopefully be established somewhere in Abuja."
The Kudirat Radio, named after the assassinated wife of presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Chief MKO Abiola, was a clandestine radio station that played a significant role in the pro-democracy struggle during Nigeria's military era.
Follow BenriNews on social media for more updates:
