Corrupt recipients will be stripped of National award honour – FG

The Federal Government has said corrupt recipients of the national honours will be stripped of the awards.

This, it stressed, will be consistent with the stand of the present administration against all forms of corruption.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, said this while inaugurating the newly reconstituted Committee on National Honours Award on Wednesday in Abuja.

A statement by the Director (Press), Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Bolaji Adebiyi, said the SGF reiterated that for the national award to retain the prestige that it was accorded, recipients who conduct themselves in any dishonorable manner would be stripped of the national honour.

It said Lawal reminded the committee that the national award has two purposes, which are to recognize and honour citizens and friends of Nigeria who have distinguished themselves in their various endeavours and contributed immensely to the development of the nation.

Also, the statement added, the recognition was intended to serve as motivation for all Nigerians to emulate the exemplary conduct and services of those being honoured and inspire them for such national recognition.

“The SGF reiterated that for the national award to retain the prestige that it is accorded, recipients who conduct themselves in any dishonorable manner will be stripped of the national honour. This, he stressed, will be consistent with the stand of the present administration against all forms of corruption. He assured that the combined investiture ceremony for the 2015 and 2016 National Honours Award will be held this year,” the statement read.

The Chairman of the committee, former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Alfa Belgore expressed the appreciation of all members of the committee for the honour of appointing them and pledged that they would not disappoint the nation.

He said Nigeria is a great country and that bestowing honour on any Nigerian in any grade must be acknowledged as a great national achievement.

He promised that the committee would strive at all times to select the best for the National Honours.

Members of the committee include, Justice Umaru Kalgo (retd.), Justice Isaac Aluyi (retd.), Mrs. Bola Ogunriade, Nnema Josephine Ndukwu, Amb. Usman Galtimari, Chief Bassey Edem and Mr. Gabriel Afu.

Others are Amb. Nonye Udo, Mr. M. Abikoye, Mr. Y. Bichi, Mrs. Rasheedat Okoduwa, Mr. James Ibidapo and Mr. Gabriel Loto, who is the Secretary.