In a heartfelt declaration, the family of the late Prof. Humphrey Nwosu, who once helmed Nigeria’s National Electoral Commission, has lauded President Bola Tinubu for awarding their father a posthumous national honour. The Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) was presented during the June 12, 2025, anniversary event in Abuja, marking the enduring significance of the 1993 presidential election.
Prof. Nwosu’s stewardship of the June 12 election, often described as the most transparent and credible in Nigeria’s history, has earned him a revered place in the nation’s democratic evolution. His family, through a press release signed by his son Nnaemeka, thanked President Tinubu and Nigerians who championed the recognition of their father’s pivotal role.
The statement read, “We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu, and all Nigerians who advocated for the recognition of Prof. Humphrey Nwosu, for his crucial role in conducting the June 12, 1993 election, widely regarded as the freest and fairest in Nigeria’s history.”
They highlighted the significance of the honour as a tribute to the foundational work done by Prof. Nwosu and his colleagues at NEC (now INEC) over three decades ago, which played a critical role in shaping Nigeria’s democratic landscape.
Acknowledging the bittersweet nature of the occasion, the family noted the enduring inspiration Prof. Nwosu’s legacy provides to Nigerians. “The family of Prof. Humphrey Nwosu is thankful for this honour and wishes to express our appreciation to the President and everyone involved in making this recognition possible,” the statement affirmed.
The family concluded by expressing heartfelt appreciation for the national honour: “There are no words to adequately express the depth of gratitude we feel at this posthumous award.”