Ogheneruona Tejiri, Warri
The family of Late Comrade Frank Kokori, the labour icon and pro-democracy activist has expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for conferring the posthumous national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) on their patriarch.
In a statement issued and signed by Kive Kokori, the son of the late labour leader, the family described the gesture as a “commendable step towards correcting a long-standing national oversight” regarding Comrade Kokori’s pivotal role in the June 12, 1993, pro-democracy struggle.e
According to the family, *we deeply appreciate the President’s resolve in ensuring that the heroes of Nigeria’s democracy are not forgotten.”
However, Kokori family urged President Tinubu to consider a higher honour that truly reflects the magnitude of their father’s contributions to Nigeria’s democratic journey.
They also appealed for a national monument or institution to be named after the late unionist as a lasting tribute.
The family added, “with great humility and in the spirit of justice and historical clarity, the Kokori family appeals to President Tinubu to further elevate this recognition to more appropriately reflect Comrade Kokori’s extraordinary and unmatched contributions to the restoration of democracy in Nigeria.”
Highlighting his legacy, the family recalled that as General Secretary of NUPENG during the military dictatorship, Comrade Kokori led a historic oil workers’ strike that crippled oil production and exports—the lifeblood of the national economy—in protest against the annulment of the June 12 election won by Chief M.K.O. Abiola.
They added, “this singular act of resistance was unprecedented in scale and consequence, earning him a brutal abduction and nearly four years of incarceration, largely in solitary confinement, under some of the most inhumane prison conditions in Bama, Borno State.
“Despite threats, inducements, and unimaginable hardship to his family, he remained unbending in his principles, refusing to capitulate or trade his convictions for personal gains. Even when a high-ranking position in government and a blank cheque were offered to him by the Abacha government as an appeasement, he declined, choosing integrity over convenience—a path few dared to take. Many who stood in the same moment later accepted appointments or changed sides; he did not.
“While we do not seek to diminish the contributions of other patriots in the June 12 struggle, Comrade Kokori’s role was singular in its courage, consequence, and cost. He stood out, not only for what he fought for, but for what he endured. This is not just a family sentiment—it is a truth borne out by history.
“Indeed, Mr. President himself referred to Frank Kokori as a brother and Comrade-in-struggle in his tribute to him, and eulogized him after his passing. It is our belief that, in light of that intimate understanding of his sacrifices, the CON award, while appreciated, does not sufficiently reflect the weight of his national impact.
“Therefore, we respectfully appeal to President Tinubu and the Nigerian government to reassess and upgrade the honour accorded to Frank Kokori—ideally to the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) or at minimum, Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR)—in alignment with the precedent set for other leaders of similar impact.
“Furthermore, we advocate for the naming of a national monument or institution after Frank Kokori to enshrine his name in public memory and inspire future generations. Such an act would serve not only as a gesture of gratitude but as a national statement that integrity, sacrifice, and courage still matter in Nigeria.
“Though he did not receive this recognition during his lifetime, it is never too late to do what is right. We thank President Tinubu for his leadership, and we trust that—as a man who himself paid a steep price for democracy—he will rise to the occasion in correctly honouring one of its most unsung but indispensable warriors.”
