…Says Ige deserves more than CFR

A former Nigerian Ambassador to the Philippines, Dr. Yemi Farounbi, on Thursday, congratulated President Bola Tinubu for recognising the contributions of the late Chief Bola Ige to the development of Nigeria’s democratic journey with the conferment of a national honour on him.

Tinubu had announced the conferment of the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) on Chief Ige. The president also conferred national honours on many prominent Nigerians, both living and deceased.

Ige was a former Governor of Old Oyo State in the Second Republic and a former Attorney-General of the Federation during the Chief Olusegun Obasanjo presidency. He was assassinated in 2001 in Ibadan.

Reacting to the honour, Farounbi said the contributions of his late leader to nation-building were immense.

“I congratulate Tinubu for recognising and appreciating his leader in Afenifere and the Alliance for Democracy (AD). Chief Ige made a lot of contributions to democracy, the legal profession, education, and development. At the age of 27, he was the National Publicity Secretary of the Action Group (AG), where he defended Joseph Tarka of the Middle Belt. He stood against Abacha. He was the Deputy Leader of Afenifere who supported M.K.O. Abiola’s struggle. Recognising him is good, but Chief Ige deserves more than CFR,” Farounbi said.