Posted by From LUCKY NWANKWERE, Abuja on
Senate President, David Mark, Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Idris Kutigi and deputy senate president, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, were among 212 eminent Nigerians conferred with national honours on Thursday by President Umaru Yar'Adua at a colourful ceremony in Abuja.
Senate President, David Mark, Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Idris Kutigi and deputy senate president, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, were among 212 eminent Nigerians conferred with national honours on Thursday by President Umaru Yar'Adua at a colourful ceremony in Abuja.
Also honoured on the occasion which attracted several dignitaries, including past heads of state, was Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Dimeji Bankole, Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, Chairman of Daar Communications, Dr Raymond Dokpesi who was honoured with the Officer, of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) and scores of other eminent personalities.
Yar'Adua charged Nigerians to see the recognition of their compatriots as a challenge to redouble efforts in the service of their fatherland and excel in their respective fields.
Describing the country's uniquely endowed human resource base as a big asset for its socio-economic and political development, the president said his administration expected all Nigerians to build more confidence in the country and join hands in the task of nation building.
According to Yar'Adua, government was committed to providing enabling environment for all citizens to operate, pointing out that one of the key issues in the seven-point agenda of his administration is capacity building.
While urging the recipients to form themselves into a vanguard for nation building, he said the recognition given them was a call for national development and promised that his administration would do its utmost best to make the country better and a pride to all citizens.
The second highest title, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) was conferred on the Senate president, Chief David Mark and the Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Idris Kutigi. The Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu got the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR).
Ten recipients were honoured with the award of the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR), 16 with the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), 23 with the Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR) and 84 with the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON).
Among those honoured with the Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) was Chairman of Daar Communications, owners of RayPower F.M. and Africa Independent Television (AIT), Dr Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi.
Born in Ibadan, Oyo State in October 1951, Dokpesi holds a doctorate in Economics Science from the University of Uduask in Poland. With RayPower F.M., he pioneered private broadcasting in Nigeria. He is Chairman, Independent Broadcasting Association of Nigeria (IBAN), Chairman Broadcasting Organization of Nigeria (BON) and President, Chartered Institute of Transport in Nigeria.
Forty two persons were conferred with the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR), 18 persons with the Member of the Order of the Niger (MON). Those in the CFR category are the Sultan of Sokoto, Abubakar Sa'ad III; former ‘Super Permanent Secretary' and Secretary to the Federal Government, Chief Allison Ayida; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Oladimeji Bankole; Chief Olu Falae; Alhaji Gidado Idris; Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Yusuf Luka and the Inspector General of Police, Mr Mike Okiro.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Ambassador Babagana Kingibe, Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Engr. Ebele Okeke and the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu were also conferred with the CFR. Among those who received Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) are the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umaru Farouk, the Olukare of Ikare, Oba Akadiri Momoh and the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Samuel Odulana.
While the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Protocol Matters, Alhaji Inuwa Baba was conferred with the honour of the Member of the Federal Republic (MFR), popular Nigerian actor, Mr. Justus Esiri got the award of the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON). Ogoni leader, Mr. Ledum Mittee was conferred with the Member of the Order of the Niger (OON).
The award 'followed a rigorous process of vetting and screening by the awards committee and security agencies of nominees submitted by state governments," the organizers explained.