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Nigerian National Flag Designer, Taxi Driver, Traffic Warden, Steward Rewarded With Houses, National Honours
http://www.africaeagle.com/2014/09/nigerian-national-flag-designer-taxi.html
In recognition of their service to their fatherland, an honest taxi driver, a hardworking traffic warden and the chief steward in the presidency who had served nine presidents, were awarded Honours and given brand new homes in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) by Jonathan yesterday in Abuja.
The taxi driver, Mr. Umeh Usuah, was accorded recognition for returning N18 million, a laptop, and other documents to an expatriate who forgot them in his cab. He was conferred with Member of the Order of the Niger (MON), in addition to the house in the FCT.
Police Corporal Solomon Dauda and Mr. Michael Onuh, the steward in the presidency, were each rewarded with homes in Nigeria’s administrative capital and became MONs.
Equally recognised was the designer of the national flag, Pa Michael Akinkunmi, who was rewarded for his efforts more than five decades after he stitched together the green-white-green colours that symbolise Nigeria, with the Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR).
The president also directed that Akinkunmi be placed on a salary for life and appointed him as his special assistant.
In his remarks, Jonathan singled out the taxi driver, traffic warden and steward for displaying exemplary dedication in the course of discharging their duties.
In addition, 313 Nigerians, who have distinguished themselves in their chosen fields, bagged different Honours, which were personally conferred on them by the president.
Jonathan also recognised other honourees and congratulated them for their selection by the National Honours Awards Committee (NHAC) and charged them to strive hard to do more for the benefit of the nation.
A breakdown of the awards saw 25 persons conferred with Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR), 60 persons with Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), 54 persons were awarded Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR), 63 persons got Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), 53 received Member of the Order of the Niger (MON), while 56 persons were conferred with Member of the Order of the Niger (MON).
Federal Republic Medal (First Class) and Federal Republic Medal (Second Class) were also awarded to some recipients.
Speaking at the event, Chairman of NHAC, Justice Alfa Balgore, described the honours award as a tool that fosters national unity and stability, observing that all the country needed to prosper politically and economically was stability.
He said the national honour awards, which was instituted in 1963 as a means of instilling the spirit of nationalism and patriotism amongst Nigerians has seen 4,700 citizens and non-citizens duly recognised and appreciated for their contribution to national development.
He also pointed out that the current crop of awardees were carefully selected to ensure that only men and women of integrity were chosen for special recognition.
He said: “These noble men and women have been carefully selected in recognition of their honest contributions to the nation. The process ensured that it is only those people with credible character and commendable contribution to the country that were recommended.
“So far, since the inception of the award in 1963, about 4,700 Nigerians and non-Nigerians have been recognised in various categories. The essence of the awards is to serve as a catalyst to the spirit of nationalism,” he said.
Earlier, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, reminded the gathering that the Honours awards were suspended by the military until it was re-started under the current democratic dispensation.
Anyim also noted that this year’s awards comprised a combined list of 2013 and 2014 awardees since the event was shelved last year to prepare for the centenary celebrations.
“Amongst the recipients are the victorious Golden Eaglets that won the World Cup in 2013 and some of the athletes that did the country proud during this year’s Commonwealth Games,” he said.
Source: This Day Live
The taxi driver, Mr. Umeh Usuah, was accorded recognition for returning N18 million, a laptop, and other documents to an expatriate who forgot them in his cab. He was conferred with Member of the Order of the Niger (MON), in addition to the house in the FCT.
Police Corporal Solomon Dauda and Mr. Michael Onuh, the steward in the presidency, were each rewarded with homes in Nigeria’s administrative capital and became MONs.
Equally recognised was the designer of the national flag, Pa Michael Akinkunmi, who was rewarded for his efforts more than five decades after he stitched together the green-white-green colours that symbolise Nigeria, with the Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR).
The president also directed that Akinkunmi be placed on a salary for life and appointed him as his special assistant.
In his remarks, Jonathan singled out the taxi driver, traffic warden and steward for displaying exemplary dedication in the course of discharging their duties.
In addition, 313 Nigerians, who have distinguished themselves in their chosen fields, bagged different Honours, which were personally conferred on them by the president.
Jonathan also recognised other honourees and congratulated them for their selection by the National Honours Awards Committee (NHAC) and charged them to strive hard to do more for the benefit of the nation.
A breakdown of the awards saw 25 persons conferred with Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR), 60 persons with Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), 54 persons were awarded Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR), 63 persons got Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), 53 received Member of the Order of the Niger (MON), while 56 persons were conferred with Member of the Order of the Niger (MON).
Federal Republic Medal (First Class) and Federal Republic Medal (Second Class) were also awarded to some recipients.
Speaking at the event, Chairman of NHAC, Justice Alfa Balgore, described the honours award as a tool that fosters national unity and stability, observing that all the country needed to prosper politically and economically was stability.
He said the national honour awards, which was instituted in 1963 as a means of instilling the spirit of nationalism and patriotism amongst Nigerians has seen 4,700 citizens and non-citizens duly recognised and appreciated for their contribution to national development.
He also pointed out that the current crop of awardees were carefully selected to ensure that only men and women of integrity were chosen for special recognition.
He said: “These noble men and women have been carefully selected in recognition of their honest contributions to the nation. The process ensured that it is only those people with credible character and commendable contribution to the country that were recommended.
“So far, since the inception of the award in 1963, about 4,700 Nigerians and non-Nigerians have been recognised in various categories. The essence of the awards is to serve as a catalyst to the spirit of nationalism,” he said.
Earlier, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, reminded the gathering that the Honours awards were suspended by the military until it was re-started under the current democratic dispensation.
Anyim also noted that this year’s awards comprised a combined list of 2013 and 2014 awardees since the event was shelved last year to prepare for the centenary celebrations.
“Amongst the recipients are the victorious Golden Eaglets that won the World Cup in 2013 and some of the athletes that did the country proud during this year’s Commonwealth Games,” he said.
Source: This Day Live
