President Muhammed Buhari on Thursday posthumously awarded Joseph Blankson, a Nigerian contractor who died after saving 13 victims of a boat accident in Rivers State.

Blankson was presented with the ‘Presidential Special Award for Bravery and Patriotism’ during a ceremony commemorating Nigeria’s 61st Independence at the State House in Abuja.

“I presented a posthumous Presidential Special Award to his wife, Mercy, and his two children, in recognition of the greatness and heroism of their husband and father,” the president said on Facebook.

“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.”

Born on October 29, 1979, Blackson died on July 28, 2018 after attempting to save 13 victims of a boat accident on the Abonnema-Bakana waterway in Rivers State.

The boat carrying 25 passengers left Abonnema Wharf for Bakana. Blankson and his sister were travelling to Bakana for a funeral. It was raining heavily during the boat’s passage and the river was full of debris. Eventually, the boat capsized. He passed on while trying to save the 14th person.