‘Bravery, integrity, sacrifice’ — Buhari speaks on recipients of national honours

President Muhammadu Buhari says the persons who received national honours were awarded for their contributions to fostering national development.

The president conferred national honours on over 400 Nigerians and seven foreigners on Tuesday.

Speaking at the event, which held in Abuja, Buhari said those who received the awards were symbols of bravery, commitment, selflessness, sacrifice, and dedication to fostering sustainable development.

Those who received the highest category of the awards — the grand commander of the order of the Niger (GCON) — are Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, director-general of the World Trade Organisation (WTO); Senate President Ahmed Lawan; Olukayode Ariwoola, chief justice of Nigeria (CJN); Tanko Muhammad, immediate past CJN; Amina Mohammed, deputy secretary-general of the United Nations (UN); and Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, Nigeria’s permanent representative to the UN.

The president listed the criteria for the awards to include “consistent and meaningful participation in community and/or national development; rendering unsolicited, selfless and philanthropic services to humanity; outstanding sacrifice in the defence of a cause popularly adjudged to be positive, relevant and beneficial to the nation and community”.

According to a statement by Femi Adesina, presidential spokesman, other criteria listed are “distinct act of bravery in the protection and/or defence of national interest, public peace, safety of life and property; remarkable achievement in any field of expertise where the person’s activities in that field have made significant contributions to the attainment of national goals and objectives; immense contributions towards the uplift of community, state, nation and/or humanity through achievements by way of inventions, and bringing outstanding honour and glory to the state through personal dedication and patriotic commitment; service with integrity”.

Buhari commended the national awards committee chaired by Sidi Bage, a retired justice of the supreme court, for the efforts put into the selection of the awardees.

“We have amongst the recipients today, Amb. Prof. Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, Ms. Amina J. Mohammed, and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, who are doing our country proud on the international scene. Our dear sisters are a source of inspiration to our young women that through the dint of hard work and dedication, they can achieve greatness,” Buhari was quoted as saying.

“We also have on the list, Imam Abdullahi Abubakar, a religious leader who hid over 262 Christians in his mosque from attacks in Yelwa Gindi Akwati village, in Plateau State. He is a good example of religious tolerance we preach amongst Nigerians. I am excited that he is being honoured today with Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR).

“Worthy of mention are our Artistes, particularly, our very own Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu (Burna Boy), who won the Grammy Awards in 2020. He along with other artistes have repositioned the Nigerian entertainment industry and placed it on the global map. At the just concluded Dubai Expo 2020, Nigeria’s pavilion was a beehive of activities as our musicians entertained guests from around the world.

“Despite the present economic challenges, Nigeria still boasts of men and women of integrity; Ms. Josephine Agu, an airport cleaner returned $12,200 found in a toilet at Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, as well as Ogbanago Muhammed Ibrahim, a bank security man who found and returned $10,000.

“Today, we celebrate their dignity and strong strength of character by conferring National Honours on them. They are a shining example to our younger generation.

“I congratulate all the recipients today who will be joining the league of Awardees.

“I appreciate the non-Nigerian recipients and assure all of you that this administration will continue to provide the enabling environment for you to undertake your lawful businesses to allow you to sustain your efforts at contributing to the development of our nation, Nigeria.”