Falana Urges Suspension of Honorary Award to Tanzanian President
• Punch Newspapers • Lifestyle
Femi Falana, a senior advocate in Nigeria, has called on Nasarawa State University (NSUK) to suspend its plans to confer an honorary doctorate degree on Tanzanian President Samia Hassan. This request is based on allegations of human rights violations committed by Hassan's administration, including unlawful killings, torture, and enforced disappearances against Tanzanian citizens. Falana's statement, obtained on a Saturday, emphasizes that honoring President Hassan would undermine the university's commitment to ethical leadership and human rights. He argues that the award would symbolize an endorsement of egregious abuses and complicity in a culture of impunity. The honorary degree is scheduled to be presented during NSUK's 25th anniversary ceremony on April 11, 2026. Falana insists that the university must align its decisions with international human rights standards and conduct thorough due diligence before awarding such honors. He has also called for a national inquiry to assess whether NSUK's decision complies with established guidelines for awarding honorary degrees.
Topics: Politics, Human Rights