* Some politicians don’t deserve honour –Jonathan

It was a national embarrassment yesterday in Abuja when shortage of medals almost marred the National Honours Award as some of the 355 recepients could not be decorated. Though the exact number of the awardees that were unable to receive their medals could not be ascertained, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, said those left out yesterday would get their medals within a week. Anyim, whose office organised the ceremony, noted that, “a shortfall in the medals has been noticed but the medals will be made available within a week.”. He said that the recipients were chosen after careful considerations, including contributions to the development of the country, their selfless service and dedication in their chosen professions.

In his address, President Goodluck Jonathan said that the Chairman and President of Dangote Group, Dr. Aliko Dangote, was conferred with the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger, GCON, the second highest national award in the country, because of his contributions to the economic development of the nation. He said Dangote had been enterprising and had touched many lives “even in the area of creating gainful employment for thousands of Nigerians.”

The President said: “We must appreciate enterprise and personal contribution to the economy of the country, which Dangote has been able to make in his business interest in the country. “If Aliko did not have the business acumen to build that business empire; probably we would not have gotten somebody that could have employed thousands of Nigerians.

“So those who by their innate abilities, creative energies have been able to make impact in the society even deserve more honours than those of us who are holding political offices. “We will continue to encourage enterprise, we will continue to encourage creativity, we will continue to encourage Nigerians who had excelled in whatever form, a welder, electrician or anybody who by virtue of what you do, you do with much dedication and impacted society significantly can even be honoured by the President.”

He said that the criticism that trailed the National Honours on the criteria used in the selection of the awardees were expected, pointing out that even the most celebrated Nobel Prize was being criticised. Jonathan charged the awardees to continue to work hard for the progress and development of the nation, particularly the transformation agenda of the present administration. He stated that his administration was committed to accelerating development in all sectors of the economy to provide better life for its citizens. Responding on behalf of the awardees, Dangote expressed appreciation for the awards, saying that it was a challenge for them and all Nigerians to work harder for the development of the country.

The business mogul added that with the awards, they would go out to be ambassadors of the country and bring more honour to the nation. He said that Nigeria was the best country where potential could be realised “when there is commitment, dedication and focus.”

Some of those who received National Honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger, CON were serving and former members of the National Assembly including the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, Senator Smart Adeyemi, Senator James Manager, Senator Uche Chukwumerije and Senator Udoma Udo Udoma and former Senator Joy Emodi. Serving ministers including Olusegun Aganga, Emeka Wogu, Godsday Orubebe, Diezani Alison Madueke and Dr. Usman Shamsudeen were also honoured with CON, while Mr. Jim Ovia and Mr. Atedo Peterside were also among the recipients. Nigeria’s first female vice-chancellor, Prof. Grace Alele-Williams was honoured with an Officerof the Federal Republic, OFR alongside a number of Chief Judges of the states.