•Awolowo, Zik, Balewa, Ahmadu Bello, Abacha, Yar’ Adua, Murtala, others posthumously awarded
Seven past Nigerian leaders graced the Centenary anniversary celebration and award dinner night for 100 Nigerians held at the banquet hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday.
They include General Yakubu Gowon; Chief Olusegun Obasanjo; Alhaji Shehu Shagari; General Muhammadu Buhari; General Ibrahim Babangida, Chief Ernest Shonekan and General Abdulsalami Abubakar.
They all received award for outstanding promoters of unity, patriotism and national development. Late former Heads of State and presidents, including Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, General Aguiyi Ironsi, Murtala Muhammed, General Sani Abacha and Umaru Musa Yar’Adua were given award posthumously.
Abacha’s widow, Mariam, received the award on behalf of her husband while representatives of the families of other late Heads of State and presidents also received the award on their behalf.
Also in attendance yesterday were former Vice President Alex Ekwueme; former Chief of General Staff, General Oladipo Diya and General Theophilus Danjuma.
In his welcome address, Vice President Namadi Sambo said that those who were given the award were distinguished Nigerians dead or alive who had been carefully selected in order to recognise their contributions to the development of the country.
He explained that those selected for the award were not the only people that were qualified. Sambo explained that it was very difficult to make the selection, saying that although there were still others who deserved the award and should be celebrated.
According to him many are called but few are chosen, stressing that those who were chosen had been carefully selected in order to recognise their contributions to the development of the country.
Speaking while presenting the book titled “The Reforms that have transformed Nigeria, 2010-2013”, President Goodluck Jonathan said it would not be fair not to apologise to Nigerians about the selection for the award. He explained that it was difficult to select 100 people, saying that about 500 people were qualified for the award. He stressed that government would look for a way to recognise them in future national occasions.
Also at the presentation of the awards, late Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Obafemi Awolowo, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Chief Anthony Enahoro and former Labour leader, Pa Michael Imoudu were also given awards.
Source: National Mirror
No comments:
Post a Comment