Media Rights Agenda (MRA) is among a long list of individuals and organizations that were honoured in Lagos on May 20, 2026, for their contributions to the pro-democracy struggle against military dictatorship in Nigeria by the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), a broad coalition of Nigerian democrats that led the campaign to end military rule in the country in the 1990s.
They were honoured at the public presentation of “The NADECO Story”, a book written by the General Secretary of the NADECO, Ayo Opadokun, which took place at the Shell Hall of the MUSON Centre in Lagos.
The event was attended by scores of human rights and pro-democracy activists, journalists, diplomats, representatives of civil society organizations, among others, and featured tributes to media organisations, journalists, activists, military officers and others that played significant roles in the campaign against military rule between 1994 and 1998.
In a plaque titled “Medal of Appreciation” signed on its behalf by Ayo Opadokun, its General Secretary and spokesman, and presented to MRA, NADECO said it was honouring MRA in profound gratitude for its “unwavering support to the democratic struggle in Nigeria (1994 – 1998).”
The media organisations that were honoured at the event are: The Punch newspaper, Tell magazine, National Concord newspaper, The Guardian newspaper, TheNews and Tempo magazines.
The journalists and other media professionals honoured are Chief Ajibola Ogunsola, Demola Osinubi, Dapo Olorunyomi, Bayo Onanuga, Dare Babarinsa, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, Kunle Ajibade, Dr. Olatunji Dare, Kayode Komolafe, Dele Momodu, Adewale Adeoye, Nosa Igiebor, Ovie Whisky, Cole Whisky, Moshood Fayemiwo, Owei Lakemfa, Richard Akinola, Lade Bonuola, Seye Kehinde, Soji Omotunde, Idowu Obasa and Edwin Madunagu.
Human rights and pro-democracy activists that were honoured include President Bola Tinubu, Prof Wole Soyinka, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), Femi Falana (SAN), Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Omoyele Sowore, Shehu Sani, Dr. Osagie Obayuwana, Wale Balogun, Uche Okwukwu, Luke Aghahenunu, Mrs Ayo Obe, Hon. Abdul Oroh, Dr Amos Akingba, Popoola Ajayi, Prof Sola Olorunyomi, Adeola Soetan, Prof Femi Obayori, Prof Sylvester Odion-Akhaine, Debo Adeniran, Nick Dazang, John Odah, Kunle Adesokan, Denja Yakub, David Ajetumobi, Jiti Ogunye, Iba Gani Adams, Col Abubakar Umar, and Gbenga Awosode.
Other individuals honoured are Abiodun Kolawole, Rotimi Sankore, Abiodun Aremu, Rotimi Obadofin, Ambassador Walter Carrington, Dr Wale Balogun, Oronto Douglas, Dr. Festus Iyayi, Prof Adesegun Banjo, Baba Omojola, Che Ibegbu and Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin.
Military officers honoured were Gen Alani Akinrinade (rtd.), Tony Awoluyi, Col. M.A. Ajayi (rtd.), Air Commodore Dan Suleiman (rtd.), Col Abubakar Umar (rtd.), Air Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe (rtd.), Col Gabriel Ajayi (rtd.), and Col Gabriel Ajayi (rtd.).
Posthumous awards were given to notable figures, including Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, Ken Saro-Wiwa, Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, Pa Alfred Rewane, Bagauda Kaltho, Ubani Chima, Bamidele Aturu, Innocent Chukwuma, Dr Frederick Fasehun, Alao Aka-Bashorun and Segun Sango.
Human rights and civil society organisations honoured at the event are Civil Liberties Organisation, Campaign for Democracy, United Democratic Alliance, United Action for Democracy, Journalists for Democratic Rights, The Democratic Alternative, the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People, Constitutional Rights Project, Human Rights Africa, Media Rights Agenda, Movement for National Reformation, National Democratic Coalition, Coalition of Nigerian Democrats in Germany, Campaign for Democracy Germany and Campaign for Democracy United Kingdom.
