President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday bestowed different categories of national honours, awards, medals and insignia on 450 Nigerians and non-Nigerians, who, according to him, have distinguished themselves in the service of the nation and humanity.
Speaking at the conferment ceremony held at the State House, Abuja, the president said the persons who contribute to national development deserve to be encouraged and appreciated.
Among those decorated were Ms. Josephine Agu, an airport cleaner who returned $12,200 found in a toilet at the international wing of the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos and Ogbanago Muhammed Ibrahim, a bank security man who found and returned $10,000.
Also given honoured was Imam Abdullahi Abubakar who shielded 262 Christians in his mosque in Plateau State from being killed by a band of fundamentalists.
The president also honoured Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu known by his stage name as Burna Boy) who win a Grammy Awards in 2020.
“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 among Nigerians.
‘’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.
“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,” the president declared.
Top on the list of other awardees were Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Lawan; Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola; former CJN, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; and former finance minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
There were also Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola; Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), Ms. Amina J. Mohammed; Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Professor Tijjani Muhammad-Bande; group managing director, Access Corporation, Herbert Wigwe; Chairman, Ikeja DisCo, Kola Adesina; and novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
Others were chief executive officer of Flutterwave, Olugbenga Agboola; and Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, Lee Engineering Group, Dr Leemon Ikpea.
The recipients were decorated under different medal categories, including Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), Commander of the Order of Federal Republic (CFR), Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) and Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON).
Six recipients were awarded Grand Commanders of the Order of the Niger (GCON), 55 Commanders of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR), 74 Members of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR), 77 Officers of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR).
Others were 110 Officers of the Order of the Niger (OON), 55 Members of the Order of the Niger (MON), 65 Commanders of the Order of the Niger (CON), Four Federal Republic Medal – First Class (FRM I) and Four Federal Republic Medal – Second Class (FRM II).
The president remarked that the national honours are not merely decorative.
“They remind us of an important part of our responsibility as citizens. We must always endeavour to do our best for our country,” he added.
