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Tag: national honours

  • EXPLAINER: Nigerian national honours, how they work, who gets them

    EXPLAINER: Nigerian national honours, how they work, who gets them

    As Nigeria continues to celebrate excellence across all sectors, the national honours system stands as a cornerstone for recognising individuals who have made significant contributions to the nation’s growth and development. 

    From political leaders and academics to entertainers and civil servants, the honours represent a tribute to patriotism, dedication, and outstanding achievement.

    Established in 1963 and legally backed by the National Honours Act of 1964, the awards are conferred annually by the President of Nigeria. 

    Prestigious titles such as the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR) and Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) are typically reserved for the nation’s highest-ranking officials.

    However, the honours also recognise deserving professionals, innovators, and everyday citizens who have excelled in their fields.

    This national tradition serves as both a symbol of appreciation and a call to service, reflecting the country’s commitment to rewarding merit and inspiring future generations. 

    Here is a comprehensive overview of Nigeria’s national honours—what they mean, who qualifies, and how they are structured.

    Order of the Federal Republic (Highest Order)

    1. Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (GCFR) – Reserved for Presidents and former Heads of State.

    2. Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) – For high-ranking officials, ministers, and national figures.

    Read Also: BREAKING: Tinubu confers national honours, gifts $100,000 cash award to Super Falcons

    3. Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) – Recognizes significant service in business, science, or culture.

    4. Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) – For citizens with distinguished contributions at the grassroots or professional level.

    Order of the Niger (Second Tier Honour)

    1. Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) – Awarded to Vice Presidents, Chief Justices, and other top officials.

    2. Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) – For national figures in judiciary, public service, and leadership roles.

    3. Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) – For distinguished professionals, civil servants, and reformers.

    4. Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) – Often awarded to athletes, artists, and young achievers.

    Federal Republic Medals (Service-Based Awards)

    First Class & Second Class Medals – Recognize exceptional public and military service.

    1. Forces Service Star (FSS)

    2. Grand Service Star (GSS)

    3. Distinguished Service Star (DSS)

    4. Meritorious Service Star (MSS)

    5. Command Medals – for military and paramilitary personnel.

    Academic Distinction: Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM)

    1. Awarded to top intellectuals in the fields of science, humanities, engineering, and education.

    2. Considered Nigeria’s highest scholarly honour.

    3. Only a limited number of people hold this rare title.

    The national honours system not only acknowledges leadership and service at the top echelons of government but also elevates lesser-known citizens who have impacted society in meaningful ways.

    With a structured hierarchy—from GCFR and GCON down to MON and federal service medals—Nigeria continues to spotlight merit, excellence, and integrity across generations.

  • NUPENG, PENGASSAN seek national honours for unions’ leaders

    NIGERIA Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) leadership said it was pleased with the decision of President Muhammadu Buhari to officially announce “June 12” as the new date to replace the traditional “May 29” as Democracy Day

    Its National President, Comrade Prince Williams Akporeha, in a statement, said: “We also commend the President for conferring a posthumous GCFR title on the winner of June 12, 1993, presidential election, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola (of blessed memory), and GCON titles on his running mate, Ambassador Baba Gana Kingibe as well as the late legal icon and human rights activist, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, posthumously for his role in the actualisation of the June 12 polls.

    He said the unions were, however, stunned that such high profile national recognition and honour was offered by the Presidency and no credit whatsoever was given to NUPENG and its sister union, PENGASSAN despite the roles played by their leaders.

    “Without contradiction, the democracy Nigeria enjoys today did not come on a silver platter, the leadership of these unions as well as our members fought for it, in some instances with our blood, tears, freedom, career and regrettably some paid the supreme price.

    “As responsible oil unions with long road to freedom and indelible footprints, we have left behind in the chequered history of the Nigeria, without sounding immodest, we believe names like Comrade (Chief) Frank Ovie Kokori (NUPENG former General Secretary), (late) Comrade Wariebi Kojo Agamene (former President of NUPENG), former General Secretary of PENGASSAN Comrade (Chief) Milton Gilchrist Dabibi and others should have featured prominently on that list.

    “These fearless and irrepressible Nigerians gave their all to earn the country democratic liberty. For pecuniary gains and other reasons, some other Nigerians pitched their tent with the tyrannical military regimes, but our leaders were resolute and blatantly refused to compromise or to receive any form of gratification, despite intimidation, victimisation, harassment and incarceration by the military despot.

    “We, therefore, use this veritable medium to appeal to our listening National leader, President Muhammadu Buhari and members of his think-tank to look inwards and make necessary amends by reviewing this list so as to accommodate the names of these veterans mentioned above.”

     

  • Review national honours now

    SIR: I urge President Muhammadu Buhari to please set up a committee to review national honours granted to individuals since its inception.

    The President has been fighting corruption since his government was sworn in. It is embarrassing that some of the suspects his government is fighting for on grounds of corruption, or pointing to have national honours.

    They should be stripped off the national honours given to them “illegally” as they don’t deserve it to begin with.

    It is only in Nigeria that every President is a GCFR holder; every Vice President, Senate President, Chief Justice holds GCON award. Almost all first class traditional rulers in Nigeria are CFR holders. Likewise, ministers, state governors and heads of government agencies are automatically national honours award winners. It doesn’t make sense at all.

    National honours should be meant for people who have done a national service to Nigeria, someone that promotes Nigeria’s image and integrity.

    I think of some of our gallant soldiers, people in the academia, athletes, etc are more deserving than a good number of our previous honourees. Somebody that came to mind was the person that wrestled with a suicide bomber before he detonated a bomb in Yobe State. These are our real heroes and “patriots”.

    Also, I recommend that the award be done once in three years. That will make it more respectable and befitting to the heroes.

     

    • Abdulbaqi Jari,

    Katsina.

     

  • Strip them of their national honours

    SIR: I read on the papers few years ago how a Japanese gardener found a huge sum of money in a dustbin as he tended to his early morning routine. Instead of taking advantage of the opportunity, this man chose rather to report the matter before the authorities.

    It became the talk of town as some people praised the man while others rained curses saying “he will never be rich in his life”. X-raying the Nigerian situation in this context as a new government takes over, I believe that the question that we ought to be pondering upon is who actually is the honourable man? Are they the oil cabals that continue to endanger the lives of Nigerians? Are they the politicians who see government as commerce rather than opportunity for representation? Or, is he the kind of man that has the Buhari format?

    These questions have become necessary in the wake of the new dispensatinl even as so called men and women of honours starts to refund stolen money. I find it preposterous in a nation where power supply is almost a nightmare; where thousands of students graduate yearly in our universities without being sure of the next move; a nation dependent hundred percent on crude oil as source of revenue not caring about diversification!

    I watched the British election that ended recently and I thought to see wide eyed people – mystics. But no, I saw gentle men and women going into a little house to cast their votes and the next day a winner was declared. I have not heard of any tribunal sitting ever since.

    I thank God that in 2015, the fear of Buhari has become the starting point of wisdom. We put lions in cages because of their behaviours. The only thing that can cage Nigeria is a zero tolerance for the breaking of our laws. It is my proposal that politicians who have started to refund stolen money be striped of all their honours – stolen national honours. They were indeed stolen by their intrigues. My instinct tells me that there is more than a N100 billion dollars in their possession.

    Let all Nigerians continue to give praise to Almighty God for the emergence of Buhari. In his words I quote “I will make nigerians proud of their country”. Thus the end of evil men has come in this nation.

    Buhari is a seed that God has planted for himself. This seed Buhari is going to sprout and emerge into a great tree, a changed nation, full of good fruits – right minded Nigerian full of empathy for their nation thus putting an end to this mess we have found ourselves. Let peace, progress and success-loving Nigerians pray for our President for divine strength and direction for the task ahead of him.

     

    • Chief James Okpomwense, 

    Ezomo of Benin Kingdom,

    Benin City

     

  • 11 Inspiring congratulatory quotes

    11 Inspiring congratulatory quotes

    As President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan confer national honours on some recipients today, the dailies are filled with congratulatory messages from well-wishers to the recipients. Awele Okwudarue compiles 11 inspiring quotes from the messages.

     

    1.  ‘Our boys just became Nigeria’s men’ – Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria to Sir Steve Omojafor, Chairman STB-McCann and Udeme Ufot, Group MD, SO & U Advertising on their conferment of OON and MFR respectively.

     

    2.   ‘A distinguished officer takes command’ – Silverbabim, Technology and Process Re-engineering Consulting to Faith Tuedor-Matthews, GMD/CEO, Mainstreet Bank Limited on her conferment of OFR.

     

    3. ‘Our money has always been on you, Commander!’ – Prima Garnet Africa to Godwin Emefiele, Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria on his conferment of CON.

     

    4.  ‘OFR, fitting crown for your pioneering initiatives’ – Chief (Sir) Chris Iheanacho, Chairman/CEO Enercon Nigeria Limited to Mrs Uju Ifejika, Chairman/CEO Brittania-U Nigeria Limited on her conferment of OFR.

     

    5.  ‘Our own chairman, one of Nigeria’s finest’ – Nigerian Aviation Handling Company PLC to Alhaji Suleiman Yahyah on his conferment of OON.

     

    6.  ‘If not you, then who?’ – Atiku Abubakar to Chief John Odigie Oyegun on his conferment of CON.

     

    7.  ‘Another feather in the cap of Mr Rebuilder’ – Members of The Rebuilders Team to Governor Ibikunle Amosun on his conferment of CON.

     

    8.  ‘Celebrating another garland for the man of the people’ – Petrolex to Governor Olusegun Mimiko on his conferment of CON.

     

    9.  ‘The Nation honours a first class citizen’ – Dr Stella Okoli to Dr Alex Otti on his conferment of OFR.

     

    10.  ‘And the women say congratulations’ – Committee of women to Governor Olusegun Mimiko on his conferment of CON.

     

    11.  ‘Behold, another CONfirmation of excellence’ – Committee of friends to Governor Olusegun Mimiko on his conferment of CON.

  • National honours: Hotman asks for inclusion of more entertainers

    National honours: Hotman asks for inclusion of more entertainers

    While the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) is commending the Federal Government over the three filmmakers enlisted for the 2014 National Honours Award, a prominent Hausa actor, Salihu Othman Isah, famously called Hotman, has criticised the omission of certain names he considered deserving of the award.

    In a statement titled “National honours list incomplete without Ibinabo, Dike, others”, Isah noted that the President of Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Ibinabo Fiberesima and Chairman, Board of Trustees (BOT) of AGN, Ifeanyi Dike, had contributed so much to the uplift of the entertainment sector, thereby deserving to be honoured.

    Isah, who is the association’s National Vice President, North West, said in Kano, Tuesday, that there is need for the Federal Government to revisit the list by including the two entertainers.

    A list of 305 national honourees, which was released last week, includes the producer of the acclaimed Nollywood pioneering movie, Living in Bondage, Mr. Keneth Nnebue; veteran actress Joke Silva; awards-winning actress Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde and notable Hausa musician, Abubakar Ladan Zaria.

    He added: “The Federal Government has not given enough recognition to the entertainment sector, in spite of its obvious contributions to the Gross Domestic Products (GDP) of the nation as well as in its rebranding mission.”

    The respected actor also argued that a situation whereby people in other sectors with less contribution to national cause make the honours list, while those who genuinely deserve it are left out does not augur well for the country.

    According to him, “If you look at that honouree list critically, you will observe that only a few entertainers made the list: Kenneth Nnebue, Joke Silva, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde and Abubakar Ladan Zaria who is a musician.

    “In fact, apart from the oil sector and customs and excise, one sector that has done so much for the nation’s improved GDP is the entertainment sector. But it is so sad that when it is time to recognise Nigerians, we are left out or they just rub oil in our mouth by including only one or two of our own.

    “This is not enough considering what we represent. Here is a sector that has taken millions out of the streets by providing them jobs. But out of 305 national honourees, you gave out just four to the entire sector.”

    He also stated that besides being the first female to emerge the national president of AGN, Fiberesima had led her National Executive Committee (NEC) to reform the guild as well as better the lots of its membership, in spite of all odds.

    “Under her leadership, we have been able to get the Federal Government to provide the guild with a plot of land in Abuja; the Federal Capital Territory, where an ultra-modern secretariat will be erected.

    “We all agree that this is no doubt a mean feat because the Federal Government has also undertaken to erect the edifice. So, I believe that Ibinabo Fiberesima and Ifeanyi Dike and some other leaders in Nollywood deserve to be honoured by the nation,” he said.

    Meanwhile, Managing Director of NFC, Danjuma Dadu, has said that the awards given to filmmakers by the Federal Government since 2007 is a testimony of the great contribution of the film industry to the growth of the nation.

    “The Nigerian film industry has continued to impact positively on the Nigerian economy and beyond, providing home and theatre entertainment to millions around the world,” he said.

    He described Kenneth Nnebue, Omotola Jalade- Ekende and Joke Silva, who have bagged the Federal Republic Award (MFR), as dedicated filmmakers who have carved a niche for themselves and have made the nation and their fellow filmmakers proud.

    He, however, urged the recipients to see the recognition as a call to further contribute to the sustainable development and growth of the Nigerian film industry.

  • National Honours: Don’t strip president powers, say Belgore, NBA

    National Honours: Don’t strip president powers, say Belgore, NBA

    Former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Alfa Belgore has opposed to the removal of exclusive powers of the president to award national honors on deserving Nigerians.

    Belgore’s position was supported by the Nigerian BarAssociation (NBA), Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) among other stakeholders.

    The former CJN, who is the Chairman of the National Award Honours Committee also disagreed with idea of excluding serving public office holders from being recognized with the award, as proposed by the amendment.

    Belgore spoke on Thursday at a public hearing organized by House Committee on Governmental Affairs on two bills seeking to amend the National Honours Act.

    One of the bills seeks to subject the conformation of any award on the National Assembly as well as powers to revoke due to misconduct on the part of the awardee.

    The bill also seek to prohibit serving public officer, elected or appointed from being conferred with the award while it also seeks to increase the fine payable upon conviction from N100, 000 to N1m.

    Justice Belgore, however, appealed to the lawmakers to shelve any attempt at stripping the President of the powers to award the National Honours on those he deemed fit.

    “It is not done anywhere in the world, it is the exclusive of the President and not the National Assembly. I don’t think this amendment is necessary because everywhere in the world, it is the prerogative of the President to preside over this award,” he said.

    He also disagreed with the exclusion of serving public officers from the award, saying, “Why not? The award is meant to recognize those that are deserving and if those serving merited it, they should so be recognized.

    “It is for recognition and being so recognized would serve as impetus for others to want to contribute their own quota to nation building, “the former CJN added.

    The NBA in its presentation aligned with Justice Belgore on the two issues and stated that limiting the number of awardees to 100 would not be fair to deserving Nigerians.

    According to the NBA, the current 450 limit should be left open.

     

  • National Honours: My nominations

    National Honours: My nominations

    I woke up too late to realise that the list of those on whom national honours would be conferred for the current year had been compiled. In any case, there is no room for citizen participation in the exercise. I later saw that it was a mix of the deserving and those who could only have brought the nation to disrepute.

    I do not want to go into an analysis on the quality of the minds that produced the list. I am not in the mood for discussing the President, his men or policies today. Rather, I prefer to be charitable. I have come up with some names that I think deserved the presidential handshake more than those assembled for the purpose.

    Chief Onanefe Ibori

    He could be described as the lion of Delta State. For the eight years that he ruled, no one was in doubt he was fully in charge. Anyone who fails to realize his contribution to the development of the state should fix a visit to Oghara, Ibori’s town, on his holiday plan and see the transformation he succeeded in achieving. In fact, President Goodluck Jonathan and the Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio should ask Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan to facilitate a tour of Oghara to learn how to give meaning to their agenda.

    Since the terms of qualification for the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger have been liberalized, I suggest Ibori be handed the diadem.

    Cecilia Ibru

    Just a few months in the wilderness, many have forgotten this captain of industry who gave a new meaning to entrepreneurship. The Amazon, as managing director of an indigenous bank, showed leadership. She might have landed in trouble by being ingenious in coming up with her own code of corporate governance, but she showed that she could not be held down by any structure in achieving her personal ambition.

    Till date, she holds the record at showing that someone in the private sector could acquire more than an enterprising player in the public sector.

    Since she was unfairly dragged before a court of law to answer some charges for which she plea-bargained, the socialite in her has taken the back seat. No longer is her name mentioned around events organized in churches along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway. A CFR would boost her confidence to do more for our dear nation..

    Farouk Lawan

    He is a man in the eye of the storm.

    He still has charges hanging round his neck in court. Therefore, it may be sub judice discussing this mighty man who meant so much in Kano and the National Assembly prior to the Lawangate. I know many would argue that Lawan ought to be excluded from such awards until his case in court has been laid to rest and he is cleared of the charges. But, is that the trend? Wasn’t madam Etteh handed the award after she had been impeached on grounds of misdemeanor, if not crime against the state? Lawan is a titan at home. He needs something to keep alive his hope of running affairs of Kano in 2015.

    Ayoka Adebayo

    Remember the old woman? She was handed the difficult and thankless job of conducting the Ekiti State rerun election. Many have said she did not conduct herself in a way befitting an old woman with a Christian spirit. But, I disagree. At that age, she sat through the night and, when she discovered that things might have gone wrong with her conduct in halting the process, she retraced her steps and obeyed orders from above. After all, as a public servant, she is expected to be a team player. She deserved the third highest honour-CFR.

    Igbinedion, Dariye, Turaki, Alamieyeseigha

    These are some of the greatest strategist-politicians ever produced in the land. Lucy, Joshua and Saminu could have established a good law firm had they been lawyers. They were governors of their states for eight years during which they showed all what power should mean in an underdeveloped country. Their conducts compelled men to worship the ground they trod. Any sincere political scientist would have leant a lot to boost his theoretical appreciation of power from the services rendered by these former governors of Edo, Plateau and Jigawa States. To the credit of Dariye and Turaki, they won elections to represent their districts in the Senate.

    Diepreye Alamieyeseigha was dethroned, say impeached. He was also convicted, just like Igbinedion. But, what does that mean. The Ijaw Governor General has made efforts to bounce back to reckoning. He is today one of the leaders backing President Goodluck Jonathan.

    He deserves to be honoured for his contribution to the development of his motherland. Besides, the fact that his deep knowledge of the Niger Delta and charisma would be needed for the 2015 campaigns, makes it necessary to confer honour on him ahead of the all-important crusade.

    Alao-Akala, Daniel

    Those who cannot think deep would think that these former governors of Oyo and Ogun States have faded away. This is not really true. Akala, despite the charges filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has since moved on to greater heights. From serving as governor of the pace setter state for four years, he has stepped up as President. He is now President of Ogbomoso Recreation Club.

    This is a good pedestal to enable him prepare to take a shot at the presidency in future.

    The list is by no means exhaustive. I would have nominated Aare Musulumi Arisekola Alao, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff and his compatriot, Senator Alli Ndume. Former Governor Ayo Fayose who just retraced his steps to the PDP also deserves honour.

    Over to you, Minister of Special Duties in preparing the list for 2013, It will aid us in the dream of joining the club of 20 most developed economies by 2020.

  • National awards and its falling integrity

    The National Honours award which was established in 1964 empowers the President to honour deserving citizens. Since 1963 a total of 4,426 awards have been given to deserving and undeserving citizens.

    Time without number the awards have come under destructive criticisms. Many of the recipients have questionable characters yet the government fails to take corrections.

    The literary icon, Prof Chinua Achebe twice rejected the award in 2004 and 2011 while the legal luminary and human rights activist the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi also turned down the offer in 2008 and so did former Minority leader of the House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila in 2011. The Noble laureate Prof Wole Soyinka threw his away during military rule.

    These are Nigerians who have contributed immensely to the society. The late Fawehinmi was awarded the Senior Advocate of Masses (SAM) before the Judiciary board finally crowned him with Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) after many years of denial.

    The fact remains that rightful people are not honoured, rather people with questionable characters and pedigrees who have milked out Nigeria’s resources without considering the poor masses.

    Some of the past recipients have been enmeshed in one scandal or the other. These include Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) chieftain, Chief Olabode George, former Inspector- General of Police, Tafa Balogun and former Chief Executive of Oceanic Bank (now acquired by ECO Bank) Mrs Cecilia Ibru. Another recipient is standing trial for corruption charges, former Chief Executive of Intercontinental Bank (now merged with Access Bank), Mr Eratus Akingbloa, is yet to be convicted.

    It is sad that only people with questionable traits and public office holders are great beneficiaries of the national award. Though the enormous performance of the Paralympics and Falconets motivated President Jonathan to add some athletes to it. It was a deserved honour for out great sports men and women.

    Lastly, the purpose of setting up the national award has been totally defeated as only those in top positions in government are honoured.

    By Godday Odidi

    Ajegunle, Lagos

  • Lagos ACN slams debasement of national honours

    The Lagos State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has slammed the federal government for awarding national honours to Nigerians with questionable integrity.

    The party said that the latest list of awardees shows that the Dr. Goodluck Jonathan administration is not listening to Nigerians on how to redeem a process that has been allegedly abused.

    In a statement in Lagos, the State Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Joe Igbokwe, said that the names released for national honours shows that it is a pot pouri of businessmen who have no scruples, friends and associates of those in government, discredited contractors and acolytes of those in power, especially at the federal level and mainly Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members who have done absolutely nothing than live off the state.

    It regrets that what was instituted as a badge of honour has been bastardized such that Nigerians see it as badge of dishonour.

    The statement reads: “Going through the names of the newest awardees of various categories of national honours, one notices that those that compiled the names see the honour as reward for their friends, associates, business fronts, party men and nothing more.

    We see the awards still as a whimsical ritual that further erodes the entire concept when Nigerians desire an enrichment of the nation’s moral codes.

    It is regrettable that the government did not take into consideration recent expressions of disappointment of Nigerians with the award and make necessary amends in the current list.

    “Rather, what we see is a mix of names of people whom Nigerians cannot place in the events that have shaped this country for good.

    We are shocked that the same tardy way and manner this regime has been known to handle critical issues was on display in this latest list as there is no binding code of honour that unites these latest lists of awardees, as it should be.

    We only see a combination of people, most of whom have played negative roles in the evolution of Nigeria till the present where we have a wrecked country in our hands.

    “We would have expected that the massive public outcry against the list of awardees last year would have forced this regime to ensure the adoption of strict guidelines in arriving at subsequent lists of awardees, but our hope for improvement has been dashed again by the current list.

    We do not feel that we should continue this way as such honours stand to be consigned to the dustbin in the very nearest future if nothing is done to sanitize them.

    “We feel that this nation is making itself a laughing stock in the comity of nations when we continue to reward thousands of people every year with national honours when the country is regressing badly.

    We feel there is nothing wrong in suspending the awards for some years while the country grapples with the enormous problems starring it in the face.”