Permit me to call on President Muhammadu Buhari to set up a committee to review national honours granted to individuals since its inception. Mr President has been fighting corruption since the swearing in of his government. It is embarrassing that some of the people his government is fighting on account of corruption, or pointing at, have national honours.
Those corrupt individuals should be stripped of the national honours given to them “illegally.” They don’t deserve such honours.
It is only in Nigeria that every president is a GCFR holder. Every vice president, Senate president, chief justice holds the GCON award. Almost all first class traditional rulers in Nigeria are CFR holders. Likewise, ministers, state governors and heads of government agencies are automatically national honours award winners. It doesn’t make sense at all.
National honours should be meant for people who have done national service to Nigeria, someone that promotes Nigeria’s image and integrity. Some of our gallant soldiers, people in the academia, as well as athletes, are more deserving than most of the holders of our national honours. For example, that person who wrestled with a suicide bomber before he detonated a bomb in Yobe State deserves a national honour for his bravery. It is not in contention that he sacrificed his life to save many. These are our real heroes and patriots, not those who held public offices and embezzled our money.
Also, I recommend that the awards should be done once in three years. That will make it more prestigious.
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Abdulbaqi Jari @bahaushee
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