The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) has bestowed a posthumous award on a hero, Joe Blankson who saved 13 people from drowning but died while attempting to save more people.

Blankson died on July 28, 2018, while saving others following a boat accident on the Abonnema-Bakana waterway in Rivers State.

He was survived by his wife and two children. However, on September 30, Buhari presented a posthumous award to his wife and two children.

Sharing pictures of the event on his verified Facebook page, the president described Blankson as a true Nigerian hero. 

Buhari said, “On Thursday night at the State House, we honoured the memory of Joseph Blankson, a true Nigerian hero, who lost his life while saving others following a boat accident on the Abonnema-Bakana waterway in Rivers State, on July 28, 2018.

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“Blankson successfully rescued 13 persons and tragically drowned while attempting the 14th rescue. He was the sole casualty of the boat accident.”

The president noted that he presented a presidential special award for bravery and patriotism to the late hero. 

“I presented a posthumous Presidential Special Award for Bravery and Patriotism to his wife, Mercy, and his two children, in recognition of the greatness and heroism of their husband and father.

“We will continue to celebrate the best of Nigeria and Nigerians, as we work for and look forward to a better, brighter and greater Nigeria,” the president said.