NEWS
Odinkalu Defends Osa Director’s National Honour, Dismisses Partisan Criticism
Human rights lawyer and former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Chidi Odinkalu, has strongly defended the conferment of a national honour on Mr. Osa Director, the National Publicity Secretary of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), following attempts by some political commentators to politicize the recognition.
The controversy emerged shortly after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced a list of 33 pro-democracy activists and notable Nigerians to be honoured for their contributions to the country’s democratic struggle. Among those listed was Mr. Osa Director, a veteran journalist and democracy advocate who played a prominent role during the June 12 movement.
Reacting to the announcement, a social media commentator identified as General Snow suggested that the honour indicated that the NADECO spokesman was now in the good books of the ruling APC administration. The commentator pointed out that Osa Director currently serves as the National Publicity Secretary of NADECO and was one of the recipients selected by President Tinubu for national recognition.
However, Odinkalu swiftly countered the narrative, arguing that national honours transcend partisan politics and are intended to recognize exceptional service to the nation.
Drawing from Nigeria’s political history, Odinkalu urged critics to revisit the National Honours Act and the evolution of the country’s honours system. He noted that in 1981, then-President Shehu Shagari conferred the nation’s highest honour, the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR), on Obafemi Awolowo despite Awolowo being the leader of the opposition Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) at the time.
Odinkalu further highlighted Osa Director’s sacrifices during the pro-democracy struggle, describing him as one of the courageous individuals who risked their lives in the fight for civil liberties and democratic governance. He recalled that Director served as the Kano Bureau Chief of TELL Magazine during the June 12 era, a period marked by intense resistance against military rule and severe repression of pro-democracy activists.
According to Odinkalu, many Nigerians may not fully appreciate the extent of the dangers faced by Osa Director, noting that he came close to losing his life on multiple occasions because of his commitment to defending democratic rights and freedoms.
He maintained that Osa Director represents a rare breed of patriots whose contributions genuinely elevate the prestige of Nigeria’s national honours system, adding that the recognition was well deserved regardless of the administration under which it was awarded.
Odinkalu concluded that Osa Director had earned the gratitude of the nation through decades of sacrifice and service, insisting that his recognition should be viewed as a tribute to his enduring commitment to democracy rather than through the lens of contemporary partisan politics.
The exchange has since sparked wider conversations on the purpose of national honours and the need to separate national recognition from political affiliations, particularly when honouring individuals whose contributions have shaped Nigeria’s de
mocratic journey.