2011 National Honours Awards

Monday 14th November 2011, Nigerian Government honoured 355 of her Citizens who have distinguished themselves in their chosen field of endeavours. Starting with the current Speaker of the House of Representatives to Political Aides, Entertainers, Scholars, Enterpreneurs and Bankers, these men and women were honoured for their contribution to the upliftment of Nigeria and Nigerians in general. For the Enterpreneurs, they are adding value but those Politicians? I doubt. So many were honoured which to me, we do not have reason to honour them. Some of those Political Aides of the President or Vice that were honoured, why were they honoured? Is it because they ran errands for Mr. President? Why would the Lady that liase between the President and the National Assembly be honoured with National Award? She goes to do

AMEBO

to the President on what transpired on the floor every time the House seats. There are so many unemployed Nigerians who will do better

olofofo

than that idle woman. When she finished idling away sleeping, gisting and sharing money in

Ghana-Must-Go-Bags

to members, she goes back to Aso Villa for downloads of the day. Does that merit an Award? Or do you consider the Comptroller General of Nigeria Custom Service a worthy candidate to be conferred with the National honour when all the contrabands are still finding their ways into the Nigerian market?. Almost all the Heads of Security Agencies were conferred with one title or the other and BOKO HARAM members are killing Nigerians every minutes especially in the North. Or is it those corrupt Governors that have stolen all the money meant for the development of their States that deserve to be honoured? To me most of them had no reason to be there. No wonder PROFESSOR CHINUA ACHEBE rejected the Award when he saw the caliber of people being conferred with the Awards. He stated

the reasons for rejecting the offer when it was first made have not been addressed let alone solved. It is inappropriate to offer it again to me. I must therefore regretfully decline the offer again.

One of the reasons for rejecting it before was poor governance and the second was the poor conduct of elections and political structures. The President spoke person in a statement however said that the President was surprised by the Professor's claim. He further stated that the issues which made the Professor to reject the Award seven years ago were addressed by Jonathan. For example, the Electoral reforms undertaken by the administration.

The Jonathan administration has made tremendous efforts to positively change the political architecture complained about by theimprovements in the conduct of the last general election which was credible. Politically, Nigeria cannot be said to be where it was in 2004 as the Jonathan administration has embarked on extensive electoral reforms to institute a regime of electoral integrity that all Nigerians can be proud of.

For Alhaji Aliyu Dangote of Dangote Industries, he deserved the Award and more.

PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN justified Federal Government's decision to confer on business mogul, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, with the second higest national honour award of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger, GCON, saying that the recipient deserved the feat because of his contributions to Nigeria's Industrial greatness.

Alhaji Aliko Dangote, the President of Dangote Group and member of the National Economic Management Team, NEMT, becomes the first Nigerian who is not a top Politician or Political Appointee to bag the prestigious honour. The President said

I am having the GCFR the highest in the land by virtue of the fact that I am the President of the Country, but if i am not the President another person must be the President of Nigeria. but if Aliko did not have that business acumen to build that empire probably we wouldn't have had somebody to employ.

Quite correct President. Dangote is the highest employer of labour in Nigeria after the Federal Government. He has revived a lot of the ailing industries and build new factories all over Nigeria. He is still building, manufacturing and empowering millions all over the Country. These are the calibre of people to be honoured and not idle politicians whose only claim to fame is hanging around the corridors of power. Congratulations to my Diva, GENEVIEVE NNAJI

Congratulations to Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomole. He is a transformer. He has transformed the State from a civil servant State to an industrial Centre.