Presidency Refutes Viral Claim About Aisha Yesufu’s National Honour
The Nigerian Presidency has denied claims that human rights activist Aisha Yesufu was among those conferred with national honours by President Bola Tinubu during the 2025 Democracy Day celebrations.
In a statement released by Temitope Ajayi , Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, the report—widely shared on social media—was declared false .
“The story on a viral list of national honours featuring the name of Aisha Yesufu and others is fake news,” Ajayi said in a Facebook post.
“It should be ignored.”
Ajayi clarified that no new names had been added beyond those announced by President Tinubu during his Democracy Day address to a joint session of the National Assembly on Thursday, June 13 .
Only 66 Names Officially Announced – Not 102
The controversy followed the circulation of a viral document listing 102 names , which included Aisha Yesufu and sparked widespread discussion online.
However, only 66 individuals were officially named by the President during the ceremony in Abuja.
Among them were several posthumous recipients , including:
- Shehu Musa Yar’Adua – Former Chief of Staff to Gen. Ibrahim Babangida
- Prof. Humphrey Nwosu – Former NEC Chairman who oversaw the controversial 1993 elections
- Kudirat Abiola – Wife of MKO Abiola and leading figure in the struggle for democracy
These individuals were recognized as heroes of democracy .
Why the Report Caused Stir
Given Aisha Yesufu’s public criticism of the current administration and her visible role in the #EndSARS protests , many found it unlikely she would be considered for a national honour by the Tinubu-led government.
Her name appearing on the list raised eyebrows, prompting swift action from the Presidency to debunk the misinformation.
Call to Action: Share Your Thoughts!
What are your thoughts on how quickly false stories like this spread? Should there be stronger measures to stop fake news?
💬 Leave a comment below and join the conversation on how misinformation affects public trust and governance.
📢 Help keep people informed — share this article across your social media platforms or via WhatsApp.
About the author
Peter Obi Calls for National Emergency Over Benue Killings
Obi Demands National Emergency Over Benue Violence Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has condemned the recent wave of killings in Benue State . More than 200 lives were reportedly lost in a single attack, with many victims being women, children, soldiers, and displaced persons. In a statement released on Sunday, Obi said the tragedy has become too frequent in Nigerian life , and called for a national emergency to address the situation. He described the attacks as not just violence, but a failure of leadership and a moral stain on the country’s conscience. “Every life lost is a Nigerian life—each one precious, each one irreplaceable.” Government Must Act, Not Just React Obi questioned the ability of the government at all levels to protect citizens when such large-scale loss of life continues unchecked. “The primary duty of any government […]
Iran-Bound Businessman Nabbed at Port Harcourt Airport for Ingesting 53 Cocaine Wraps
Cocaine Found in Swallowed Wraps A 44-year-old man, Ezemokwe Chukwuebuka Christian , was arrested at Port Harcourt International Airport on 7 June . He was trying to board a Qatar Airways flight to Tehran , Iran, when he was stopped by NDLEA officers . A body scan showed signs of drug ingestion. He later excreted 53 wraps of cocaine in six batches. The total weight was 1.172 kilograms . The arrest was announced in a statement by Femi Babafemi of the NDLEA . Ezemokwe admitted to trafficking drugs for two years. He said he had made several trips between West Africa and Iran . Recent Trend Seen in Iran-Bound Flights Less than two weeks earlier, another man, Chinedu Leonard Okigbo, 60 , was caught at Kano International Airport with 65 pellets of cocaine in his stomach while trying to fly […]
Africa’s Richest Man Retires from Refinery After 20 Years as Chairman
Dangote Steps Down as Chairman After Two Decades Aliko Dangote , widely recognized as Africa’s richest man , has officially retired as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc after serving in that role for over 20 years . His exit marks a major milestone in the history of one of Nigeria’s most iconic industrial enterprises. Dangote, who founded the Dangote Group , has played a central role in shaping the Nigerian sugar industry, driving local production, and reducing reliance on imports. Under his leadership, the refinery became a dominant force in West Africa, known for its efficiency, scale, and commitment to quality. A Legacy of Vision and Impact During his tenure, Dangote oversaw significant growth and modernization of the sugar refining sector in Nigeria. He championed investments in infrastructure, technology upgrades, and policy advocacy aimed […]
“No King Lives Forever” – Governor Fubara Declares Amid Political Battle
Fubara Speaks Out: “No King Lives Forever” Suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has broken his silence, delivering a defiant message amid the ongoing political turmoil in the state. Speaking at a public event in Bonny , Fubara declared: “No king lives forever.” His remarks were widely interpreted as a direct commentary on the political struggle that led to his removal from office and the declaration of a state of emergency by President Bola Tinubu in March. The emergency followed a bitter feud between Fubara and his predecessor, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) , Nyesom Wike . As a result, the federal government appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as Sole Administrator to manage state affairs for six months. Fubara Stands By His Actions In his address, Fubara said he remains confident that time will vindicate him […]
Presidency Denies Conferring National Honour on Aisha Yesufu
Presidency Refutes Viral Claim About Aisha Yesufu’s National Honour The Nigerian Presidency has denied claims that human rights activist Aisha Yesufu was among those conferred with national honours by President Bola Tinubu during the 2025 Democracy Day celebrations. In a statement released by Temitope Ajayi , Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, the report—widely shared on social media—was declared false . “The story on a viral list of national honours featuring the name of Aisha Yesufu and others is fake news,” Ajayi said in a Facebook post.“It should be ignored.” Ajayi clarified that no new names had been added beyond those announced by President Tinubu during his Democracy Day address to a joint session of the National Assembly on Thursday, June 13 . Only 66 Names Officially Announced – Not 102 The controversy followed the circulation […]
20 Rescued as Transnational Human Trafficking Gang Busted in Nigeria
Major Human Trafficking Ring Disrupted – 20 Victims Rescued A joint operation by NAPTIP (National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons) and the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) has led to the successful disruption of a transnational human trafficking gang , rescuing 20 victims and arresting three key suspects . According to a statement by Vincent Adekoye , NAPTIP’s press officer, the operation targeted an organised criminal network smuggling victims from countries like Equatorial Guinea and Togo into Nigeria for forced labor and other forms of exploitation. The arrests were carried out in coordinated raids across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Osun, and Nasarawa states . Operation Part of Broader Crackdown on Cross-Border Crime This development follows a directive from NAPTIP Director-General Binta Bello , who said the agency has intensified surveillance along border communities to stop foreign criminal […]
Related
Peter Obi Calls for National Emergency Over Benue Killings
Obi Demands National Emergency Over Benue Violence Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has condemned the recent wave of killings in Benue State . More than 200 lives were reportedly lost in a single attack, with many victims being women, children, soldiers, and displaced persons. In a statement released on Sunday, Obi said the tragedy has become too frequent in Nigerian life , and called for a national emergency to address the situation. He described the attacks as not just violence, but a failure of leadership and a moral stain on the country’s conscience. “Every life lost is a Nigerian life—each one precious, each one irreplaceable.” Government Must Act, Not Just React Obi questioned the ability of the government at all levels to protect citizens when such large-scale loss of life continues unchecked. “The primary duty of any government […]
Iran-Bound Businessman Nabbed at Port Harcourt Airport for Ingesting 53 Cocaine Wraps
Cocaine Found in Swallowed Wraps A 44-year-old man, Ezemokwe Chukwuebuka Christian , was arrested at Port Harcourt International Airport on 7 June . He was trying to board a Qatar Airways flight to Tehran , Iran, when he was stopped by NDLEA officers . A body scan showed signs of drug ingestion. He later excreted 53 wraps of cocaine in six batches. The total weight was 1.172 kilograms . The arrest was announced in a statement by Femi Babafemi of the NDLEA . Ezemokwe admitted to trafficking drugs for two years. He said he had made several trips between West Africa and Iran . Recent Trend Seen in Iran-Bound Flights Less than two weeks earlier, another man, Chinedu Leonard Okigbo, 60 , was caught at Kano International Airport with 65 pellets of cocaine in his stomach while trying to fly […]
Africa’s Richest Man Retires from Refinery After 20 Years as Chairman
Dangote Steps Down as Chairman After Two Decades Aliko Dangote , widely recognized as Africa’s richest man , has officially retired as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc after serving in that role for over 20 years . His exit marks a major milestone in the history of one of Nigeria’s most iconic industrial enterprises. Dangote, who founded the Dangote Group , has played a central role in shaping the Nigerian sugar industry, driving local production, and reducing reliance on imports. Under his leadership, the refinery became a dominant force in West Africa, known for its efficiency, scale, and commitment to quality. A Legacy of Vision and Impact During his tenure, Dangote oversaw significant growth and modernization of the sugar refining sector in Nigeria. He championed investments in infrastructure, technology upgrades, and policy advocacy aimed […]
20 Rescued as Transnational Human Trafficking Gang Busted in Nigeria
Major Human Trafficking Ring Disrupted – 20 Victims Rescued A joint operation by NAPTIP (National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons) and the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) has led to the successful disruption of a transnational human trafficking gang , rescuing 20 victims and arresting three key suspects . According to a statement by Vincent Adekoye , NAPTIP’s press officer, the operation targeted an organised criminal network smuggling victims from countries like Equatorial Guinea and Togo into Nigeria for forced labor and other forms of exploitation. The arrests were carried out in coordinated raids across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Osun, and Nasarawa states . Operation Part of Broader Crackdown on Cross-Border Crime This development follows a directive from NAPTIP Director-General Binta Bello , who said the agency has intensified surveillance along border communities to stop foreign criminal […]
Fela Resurrects as His Zombie Enters Grammy Hall of Fame
Fela Anikulapo-Kuti Enters Grammy Hall of Fame Posthumously An artist may die, but their music lives on — and no one embodies that more than Fela Anikulapo-Kuti , the legendary founder of Afrobeat. Twenty-eight years after his passing, Fela’s iconic 1976 album Zombie has been inducted into the 2025 Grammy Hall of Fame , cementing his place among global musical icons. The announcement was made by the Recording Academy , which selects recordings at least 25 years old that have “lasting qualitative or historical significance.” Zombie was praised for its “fearless critique of oppression, cultural impact, and enduring relevance to political resistance and African musical heritage.” Femi Kuti Celebrates Father’s Grammy Induction Reacting to the news, Fela’s eldest son and fellow Afrobeat musician, Femi Kuti , shared the family’s joy on social media: “Our father’s legacy lives on. We are […]
NCDC Confirms Surge in Lassa Fever Cases Across Nigeria
Lassa Fever Cases on the Rise – NCDC Reports Lassa fever is making a concerning comeback across Nigeria, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) . In its latest Situation Report for Epidemiological Week 22 (May 26 – June 1) , released on Friday, the agency confirmed eight new cases reported in Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, and Nasarawa states — up from six cases the previous week. So far in 2025 , Nigeria has recorded 747 confirmed cases and 142 deaths , giving a case fatality rate of 19.0% — higher than the 18.1% recorded during the same period in 2024 . This increase raises alarms about the effectiveness of current public health strategies and calls for urgent action. 18 States Affected, With Five Accounting for Majority of Cases The disease has now spread to 18 states […]
Be the first to leave a comment