Jonathan: FG to raise bar for national honours

Written by Daily Trust Friday, 23 July 2010

President Goodluck Jonathan has said that his administration will evolve a stricter set of rules for individuals nominated for future National Honours Award.

Speaking yesterday in Abuja during the National Honours Award 2009 investiture ceremony, Jonathan said, “We must make honour-inspiring acts part of our national culture. The times call for men and women who are willing to live above primordial loyalties and commit their all to the general good.”

While extolling the virtues of the awardees, President Jonathan said, “We insist that this country is a land of men and women of honour as promptly attested to by the profile of the distinguished awardees today and in the previous years.

“However, the bar would be further raised in the award process so as to further challenge compatriots to strive towards excellence.”

He called for the preservation of the national honours which he described as “part of our national heritage that has blossomed through the first republic and should be preserved for the inspiration it offers for greatness.

“It is a veritable instrument to draw our attention to the possibility within the Nigerian enterprise despite the huge challenges we have.”

On his part, chairman of the National Honours Award Committee and former Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Alfa Modibbo Belgore, said the process of selection was judicious which saw the emergence of “extraordinary Nigerians and friends of Nigeria” who have made the country proud.
He said honourees include heads of government agencies, traditional and religious leaders, business moguls, teachers and other distinguished personalities.

One of the recipients, retired Admiral Mike Akhigbe who received one of the only three awards for the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) told Daily Trust that the event should be a reminder to all Nigerians that hard work never goes unnoticed.

Chairman of the National Incomes, Salaries and Wages Commission, Chief Richard Onwuka Egbule, who received the Member of the Federal Republic (MFR) award, dedicated his award to God and challenged the youth never to give up on their dreams.

A total of 186 people received the honours including Admiral Mike Akhigbe (rtd.), Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu and Dr. Joseph Wayas who received the award of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger, (GCON).

Others were the Chief of Staff to the President, Chief Mike Oghiadomhe, the Head of Service of the Federation, Mr. Stephen Oronsaye, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Justice Niki Tobi, Emir of Gwandu Alhaji Mohammadu Ilyasu Bashar, Shehu of Borno Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, Hon. Ghali Umar Na’Abba and Mrs. Patricia Etteh who received the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) award.