The President spoke at the 2009 National Honours Award Investiture Ceremony in Abuja where he bestowed various national honours on about 186 distinguished Nigerians.
He said: “This country is a land of men and women of honour. From this year of our Golden Jubilee, Nigerians at home and abroad must resolve to excel in any productive activity we engage in. This administration will continue to provide quality leadership as we promote the value of honesty in the public sphere, hard work, patriotism and excellence.”
President Jonathan stressed that the profiles of the 3,924 recipients of the national honours since independence attested to their distinguished accomplishments in various human endeavours, adding that the bar would be raised for future awards.
He said: “The institution of the national honour since the First Republic should be preserved for the inspiration it offers for greatness. It is a veritable instrument to draw our attention to the possibilities within the Nigerian enterprise despite the huge challenges we have.
“This country is a land of men and women of honour as simply attested by the profiles of the distinguished awardees today and in the previous years.
“However, the bar will be further raised in the award process so as to further challenge compatriots to strive towards excellence. The critical observations made by the public about the institution are well received by government and they will be useful in making it a greater national idea.
“The exemplary contributions of the recipients in the different segments of the Nigerian society should propel us to try to make the true Nigerian character one of patriotism, hard work and excellence. It is often said that Nigerians turn out to be among the best as they compete with other nationals outside our shores.”
The National Honours Award was established by the National Honour Act No.5 of 1964. The Act, empowers the President to establish by Warrant the Nigerian Order of Dignity to honour deserving citizens who have contributed to the development and progress of the country in any field of human endeavour.
The Honours warrant of 1964 established two categories of the Nigerian Order of Dignity (NOD) each with four ranks, including the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) consisting of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCFR), Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR), Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) and Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR).
The second NOD includes Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) and Member of Order of the Niger (MON)
Honoured yesterday with the class of medal of GCON were former Chief of General Staff, Rear Admiral Okhai Michael Akhigbe (rtd); Chief Justice of the Federation, Aloysius Iyorgyer Katsina-Alu and former Senate President Joseph Wayas.
Former Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Justice Niki Tobi, and erstwhile Speaker, House of Representatives, Ghali Umar Na’Abba received the CFR medal.
Also, the first Civilian Governor of Delta State and President-General, Urhobo Progress Union, Olorogun Felix Ibru, who was represented by his brother, Mr. Goodie Ibru; and Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, received the CON honours.
Goodie Ibru said: “The idea behind the award is a sound one. It is a way of encouraging Nigerians to serve their country selflessly with the expectations that one day the country will recognise the role they are playing. The idea to me is commendable.”
Sanusi told The Guardian that his award was an endorsement by the Federal Government and a prove that the current reforms in the banking sector were appreciated.
His words: “I think it sent the right signal in terms of endorsement of the actions taken and support for us to continue. It strengthens and endorses the actions taken by CBN, including safeguarding depositors’ funds and restoring confidence in the financial system.
“When we came on board, we met a banking system that was on the verge of crisis. There would have been a major catastrophe if the banks had gone under. The CBN has been able to pull the banks away from that imminent collapse and restore their balance sheets, albeit taking some tough steps in the process.”
Okonjo-Iweala said the award was a call for more service. She said: “It is always an honour and privilege to serve one’s country in one capacity or the other. Some of us are called to serve in the frontlines of war and others are called to use their intellects.
“Nigeria is a country with a difficult and checkered economic and political history and at 50 years, many Nigerian still wonder what have we achieved and how far have we gone. Whatever cynicism may lie in our minds, we must put it aside to remember that we have only one country and that it behooves us to love and serve it. I am convinced that the impossible can be made possible once we have the will power.”
The award ceremony was held amid tight security as major roads leading to the venue, the International Conference Centre were shut to traffic by a combined team of Nigeria Police, the Military, the Immigrations, Customs and the Nigerian Civil Defence Corps, backed by the Special Anti Bomb Squad.
Commercial and personal vehicles heading towards the venue were turned back while those of invited guests and award recipients were directed to the open ground beside the Conference Centre.
A tense atmosphere was palpable at the main gate leading into the centre where a mammoth crowd tasked security personnel to their limit.
Even with their invitation cards and accreditation tags, guests were thoroughly checked at the gate before they were allowed entry.
This security measure created a long queue and delays at the gate, which kept guests frustrated with some breaching security twice to gain entry.
The event attracted dignitaries across the country, including governors, past and serving ministers and former heads of state.
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