October 11, 2022 was another historic occasion in Nigeria with a total of 447 distinguished individuals conferred with one of the highest Honours Award presented to them by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Over the years, the Nigerian National Honours Award has indisputably remained a well-thought-out instrument of reward and motivation to citizens and making are working hard in their different fields of endeavour in order to be recognised.
The National Honour got its legitimacy from the National Honours Act, No 5 of 1964.
The drafters of this act worked to ensure they were introduced to a reward system and the gesture has proven its value and essence.
The award is traced from the Colonial era, when the British empire used the instrumentality of special awards to appreciate individuals and organisations for excellent public service and humanitarian activities.
This has remained relevant in Nigeria’s democratic journey and distinguished Nigerian leaders who received awards from the British Empire for outstanding services, from the late Queen of England, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, include, Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and Dr. Akanu Ibiam amongst others.
While the Honours Award are usually dolled out to appreciate recipients for making the country proud through their exemplary services, it was also meant to be a challenge to others to do their best.
Successive governments have ensured that those deserving the awards, even without any political influence, got it. In 2014, the then administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, while recognizing the contributions made by some very important persons from the public and private sectors, also celebrated some ordinary Nigerians for demonstrating impeccable character.
Then, the chief catering officer, State House, Mrs. Katherine Philip Adamu was awarded the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR). Mr Imeh Usuah, a taxi driver, who was said to have shown uncommon honesty, was also given the MFR honour.
Interestingly, while the president exercises his power under the Honours Award Act to give recognition to citizens for their worthwhile service to humanity and fatherland and also motivate others, those who feel indifferent about the honour and reject it, have no punitive consequences to face.
In the time past, distinguished citizens and accomplished individuals in various fields of endeavour had rejected the honour, without any political witch-hunt.
Literary icons in the mould of Prof Wole Soyinka, Chinua Achebe, and the late legal luminary Gani Fawenhinmi at different times were nominated for the various categories of the awards but rejected the recognition based on reasons within their rights.
This year, President Muhammadu Buhari, conferred various categories of awards to Senate President Ahmad Lawan, the director-general of the World Trade Organization, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and 444 others.
Lawan; Hon Justice Olukayode Ariwoola; Hon Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad; Dr Ngozi Okonjo Iweala; Ms. Amina J. Mohammed and Prof Tijjani Muhammad-Bande will get the highest honour of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) out of the total 447 awardees.
Also, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Femi Gbajabiamila; Deputy Senate President Sen Ovie Omo-Agege; Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Boss Mustapha; Dr Folashade Yemi-Esan; former speaker Yakubu Dogara; Hon. Justice Kudirat M. Kekere-Ekun; Hon. Justice Musa Dattijo Muhammad; Hon. Justice Monica Bolna’an and Donghan Mansem will get the second highest honour of Commander Of the Order Of the Federal Republic (CFR).
As personalities were conferred with the award, the director general/convener, Movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership (MGGEL) Amb Henry Bello, said outstanding contributions and impact made was behind the national honour.
He said Senator Tolu Odebiyi, Sen Sani Musa and elder statesman and immediate past secretary general of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) Anthony Sani amongst others distinguished themselves for the well-deserved National Honours Award.
Also, the Northern Youths Coalition (NYC) congratulated all that were given the national honour including the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Lucky Irabor on the award of national honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR).
The coalition said the CDS has distinguished himself with his total commitment to the cause of a peaceful Nigeria.
The group said the recent release of the abducted Abuja- Kaduna train passengers is a testimony that the Armed Forces under General Irabor are committed to the protection of lives of the citizens.
The Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR) and Grand Commander of the Order of Niger (GCON) are exclusively reserved for Nigeria’s President, Vice President and the Chief of Justice of Nigeria respectively. Other categories can be given to deserving recipients.
“It must be copiously noted too, that the Federal government has continued with the tradition of recognizing ordinary citizens and non-citizens who have, against all odds, demonstrated unparalleled love for the country.
“Such individuals include, the Grammy Award -winning musician, Domini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, and Mrs. Comfort Nwobu, a retired teacher from Anambra state, amongst others will also be conferred with the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic, MFR, “ Chinedu Emmanuel who followed the 2022 national honour said.
Why Sustain The Award
Pundits say sustaining the Award after 53 years of existence, exemplifies enduring visionary legacy and one of the government’s policy directions that should be applauded.
“Many of the initiators of the Nigerian National Honours Award, undoubtedly, may not have lived to see the impact of the legacy they created, but definitely have given posterity reasons to celebrate, while history remains kind to them.
“In contemporary Nigeria, the need for recognition of exemplary services via Conferment of award cannot be overemphasised. The country is faced with so many challenges that affect citizens’ morals.
“So continuing with any noble measures, like the Honours Award to encourage those who have remained resilient in doing good works with the resolve to remain worthy Ambassadors of the country is a welcome development.
“From all indications, the decisions to Initiate the award may not have been predicated on a desire to imitate the British empire, but a genuine craving to motivate country men and women to march towards fast-tracking the much needed all round development.
“Also, bearing in mind the fact that nation building is a collective responsibility. It is not to be abandoned to different arms of government, but getting citizens to effectively play active roles, “ Musa Bala who followed the national honor event said.
Other analysts argue that having a buoyant nation is also contingent on inclusive sectoral reorganisation and balanced development.
“This, therefore, is not the function of government alone. It has other components that are greatly weaved into citizens’ all-round active participation.
“It is definitely not a rythorical gymnastics, to assert that the Award has reengineered and reinvigorated in citizens the needed patriotism and loyalty for nation building.
“Its value and relevance today obviously triples what it was during the First Republic, “ Maryam Bala said.
Backlash And Public Outcry Over The 2022 List
As expected, when the tentative list of the 437 nominees shortlisted in the 2022 Honours Award unfortunately leaked to the public through the porosity of the social media, there was a barrage of criticism.
Most critics raised questions over the calibre of individuals nominated to benefit from the award. While the government takes cognisance of all the concerns, the Ministry of special duties said only the president has the veto power over the list.
“He reserves the power to determine the fate of the list. For emphasis’s sake, the Honours Award Act empowers the President to tinker with the nominees list, or even withdraw the honours already bestowed.
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