OUTGOING Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has bestowed National awards on his personal photographers, special assistants and about 300 others.
This was announced in a statement by State House Director of Information, Abiodun Oladunjoye, on Sunday, May 28, hours to the end of Buhari’s tenure.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity (Office of the Vice President) Laolu Akande, and Permanent Secretary, State House Tijjani Umar received the award of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON).
“The President’s Personal Photographers for the eight years of his administration, Bayo Omoboriowo and Sunday Aghaeze, bagged Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) and Member of the Order of the Niger (MON), respectively.
“Also listed for the National Honours Award for their diligent services to the nation are Tolu Ogunlesi, the Special Assistant to the President on Digital and New Media, MON; Tolani Alli, Personal Photographer to the Vice President, MFR; Adamu Sambo, NTA Correspondent and Emmanuel Anrihi, NTA Cameraman, MFR,” the statement read.
Despite his endorsement of policies which plunged Nigerians into hardship, including the naira redesign and subsequent cash crunch, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele was also listed as one of the recipients of the National Honours.
Emefiele was conferred with the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic.
The awardees were advised to visit the office of the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs to collect certificates and medals on Thursday, June 1, 2023.
In October 2022, Buhari conferred National Honours on over 400 Nigerians and non-Nigerians, whom he described as men and women of integrity.
He also said the awardees were a shining light to the younger generation of Nigerians.
Renowned Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie had been nominated as a recipient of the National Honours in 2022.
She, however, did not accept the National Honours and was absent at the ceremony during which the awards were conferred.
Ijeoma Opara is a journalist with The ICIR. Reach her via vopara@icirnigeria.org or @ije_le on Twitter.