President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday conferred the Nigeria Excellence Award in Public Service (NEAPS) awards on the former president, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, the governor of Rivers State, Mr. Nyesom Wike, senate president, Mr. Ahmad Lawan and 41 others.
NEAPS was set up to recognise distinguished public service to Nigeria, either contributions to individuals, state or local community, or the public through excellence in leadership, service, or humanitarianism.
To be eligible, the recipient must be a living public official or a private citizen excelling consistently in a given sphere of influence, in good character standing and must also be at the forefront of service and innovation.
The individual must show an act of public service beyond the acts of their given mandate in endowing their society positively.
The speaker of the house of representatives, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, the service chiefs and state governors including Messrs Yahaya Bello (Kogi), Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Dave Umahi (Ebonyi), Babagana Zulum (Borno) and Bala Mohammed (Bauchi) were also honoured with various awards for their services.
The other conferees are some cabinet ministers; the group chief executive officer of the NNPC, Mr. Mele Kyari and executive chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Mr. Mohammed Nami.
