Tinubu, Shettima get GCFR, GCON titles ahead of inauguration

THE President-elect, Bola Tinubu, has been conferred with the National Honour of Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR) by the outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari.

Tinubu was conferred with the honour at the State House Banquet Hall in Abuja on Thursday, May 25.

Buhari also conferred national honour of Grand Commander of Order of the Niger (GCON) on Vice President-elect Kashim Shettima.

Tinubu was handed transition documents by Buhari in line with Executive Order 14, mandating the Transition Council to issue handover notes containing, amongst other things, proposed policy direction to the incoming administration.

The former Lagos governor is the 16th person to be conferred with the GCFR title since it was instituted by the National Honours Act No. 5 of 1964. The GCFR and the GCON are awarded to the President and Vice President, respectively.

The country’s highest national award has been conferred on Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, Shehu Shagari, Olusegun Obasanjo, Abdulsalami Abubakar, Ibrahim Babangida, Ernest Shonekan, Sani Abacha, Moshood Abiola, Umaru Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan.

Others who have been conferred with the title include British Monarch Queen Elizabeth II, South Africa’s Nelson Mandela and former Libyan Leader, Muammar Gaddafi.

Speaking at the event, Tinubu assured Buhari that he will not disappoint him.

He also affirmed that he understands the magnitude of the honour conferred upon him and the corresponding task ahead.

“I understand the magnitude of the honour conferred on me today and the task ahead. Nigerians deserve no less,” he said.

“You (Buhari) have charted the course and I shall not disappoint you.”

INEC had declared Tinubu as the winner of the February 25 presidential election.

According to INEC, Tinubu secured 8,794,726 votes, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Atiku Abubakar had 6,984,520, while the Labour Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, polled 6,101,533.

His election is currently being challenged by the Labour Party (LP), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Allied People Movement (APM).

He and his deputy will be sworn in on Monday, May 29.

The former Lagos state governor, in his manifesto, has outlined his commitment to prioritising various sectors crucial to the nation’s development.

With a focus on national security, economy, agriculture, power, oil and gas, transportation, and education, his vision aims to foster a new society built on shared prosperity, tolerance, compassion, and equal respect for all citizens.

One of the key areas of emphasis in his plan is the creation of employment opportunities for the youth, aiming to build a Nigeria where sufficient jobs with decent wages can lead to a better quality of life.

According to him, he envisions transforming Nigeria into a nation known for innovations, with a focus on manufacturing, creating, and inventing goods and services, thus shifting from being primarily consumers to creators.

To strengthen the economy and promote self-sufficiency, the former governor advocates increasing exports and reducing imports, which would have the dual effect of bolstering the national currency, the naira, and improving overall living standards.