After years of neglect of the designer of the Nigerian Flag, Mr Taiwo Akinkunmi came to a dramatic end yesterday as President Goodluck Jonathan, while conferring him with a national honour award, also announced his appointment as a Special Assistant, with a salary for life.
This was the highlight of the ceremony which saw the conferrment of national honours on more than three hundred Nigerians from all walks of life.
Akinkunmi, who is 77 years old also received the National Honours Award of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR).
President Jonathan also directed the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator. Bala Mohammed to give a flat each to a taxi driver, Umeh Usuah; Head Presidential Steward, Onuh Isaac Michael and a traffic warden, Corporal Solomon Dauda, who were also awarded national honours.
While Michael and Dauda were conferred with the Member of Order of the Niger (MON) award, Usuah received the award of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR).
Michael, the Head Presidential Steward has served nine Presidents, while Dauda had been dedicated to his job as traffic warden.
Specifically, Usuah the taxi driver was given the award for his honesty in returning N18 million cash left in his cab by a passenger.
Why taxi drive was honoured —JONATHAN
Justifying the award and reward for some of the awardees, President Jonathan said: “Take Mr. Ime Usuah, the taxi driver, whose daily income was not more than ten thousand naira, a passenger forgot eighteen million naira in his taxi, and went away.
“The man did not have Mr. Usuah’s name or his phone number. The honest Nigerian spirit in Mr. Usuah led him to go hunting for the owner of the eighteen million naira and he delivered it to him, intact. This is how it should be.
“For many of you in Abuja or who visit our nation’s capital, you must have seen a hard-working traffic warden who does his job with great dexterity, glee and happiness. As a traffic officer, he delights in entertaining commuters by graceful gyrations and gesticulations as he efficiently directs traffic. CPL Solomon Dauda carries on his job with evident pride and dignity!
“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, we all enjoy Nollywood, but one man experimented with the idea of telling stories in ways that have revolutionised the movie industry in Nigeria. His name is Kenneth Nnebue. Through him, many stars, including those whom we have honoured, stand tall on the global stage of acting today.
Steward rewarded for having served nine heads of state
“Democracy Campaigner, Joe Okei–Odumakin, Environmental Activist Nnimmo Bassey, and Mr. Michael Isaac Onuh, a very dedicated steward, who has served every Head of State loyally since President Shehu Shagari (it is quite a feat for a steward to have survived nine Heads of State and nine First Ladies) – are all here to receive honour for their hard-work in service of our Nation and humanity,” he said.
On the reward to the national flag designer, he said: “As someone who contributed so much to the history of this country, the person who designed the Nigerian flag, Pa Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi, who was also honoured here, you have to place him on a salary of special assistant to the president forever.”
A total of 305 Nigerians and foreigners received the 2013/2014 national honours award.
Among them are the Service Chiefs, National Chairman of the All Progressive Party APC John Oyegun, the Inspector of General of Police (IGP), Suleiman Abba.
24 persons bagged the prestigious Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) award. They are the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh, the Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Kenneth Minimah, the chief of Naval Staff Rear Admiral Usman Jubrin, Chief of Air Staff Air Vice Marshal Adesola Amosu, the acting IGP Sulieman Abba, National security Adviser Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd), Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) Ayo Oke, the Head of Service of the Federation Danladi Kifasi, Chief Philip Asiodu and the chief of Staff to the President, Brigadier General Jones Arogbofa.
This years national honours award did not come with the Grand Commander of the Niger (GCON) which was awarded to individuals in previous years.
Others on the category of CFR are Chief Emmanuel Anyanwu, Jimoh Ibrahim, Oludolapo Akinkugbe, former Head of Service Bukar Aji, five Justices of the Supreme Court, Justice Bolarinwa Babalakin and Justice Abubakar Bashir Wali, both retired Supreme Court justices.
Opposition APC National Chairman bags CON
President Jonathan also presented awards to 59 people in the category of the Commander of the Niger (CON) including the National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC) John Odigie Oyegun, Olorogun Felix Ibru, PDP governorship candidate in the Osun State, Iyiola Omisore, eight serving governors including Olusegun Mimiko, 8 serving Ministers and seven state Chief Judges. The State Chiefs Judges are the grand Khadi of Sokoto State, Abdulkadir Tambuwal, former Governors Ibrahim Idris and Peter Odili.
In the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) category, President Jonathan conferred on the Deputy Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje, Permanent Secretary in the foreign Affairs Ministry Martin Uhomoibhi with 4 Secretary to States governments. This category also include the Chairman of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) Victor Umeh, Managing Director of Diamond Bank, Alex Otti, Director General National Orientation Agency (NOA) Mike Omeri, the Auditor General of the Federation, Samuel Ukura, Accountant General of the Federation, Johan Otunla, Valerie Azinge, the Secretary of the 2014 National Conference, Comptroller General of Immigration Service, David Parradang and Sani Sidi of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
In the category of the Order Of the Niger (OON), Seven immediate past Deputy Inspectors General of Police (DIGs) led by Suleiman Fakai received the award, as well as the State House Counsel, Jalal Arabi, former Provost of the Nigerian Army, Major General Felix Iorshase, the former Head of Service in Lagos State Akinsanya Ajose and Folusho Olaniyan, the Managing Director of UTC Nigeria Limited.
Others on the list for OON are Ben Murray Bruce, Steve Omojafor, chairman of Zenith bank, Chukwuemeka Onwuka chairman of Enterprise Bank, a diplomat Ambassador Bina Citip Selchum, the Chief Coach of the National Under 17 football team Manu Garba, his Female under 20 counter-part Peter Dedevbo and Stella Ugboma a former FIDA president.
Omotola, Joke Silva, Okagbare too
Of the 53 in the Member of the Federal Republic (MFR) category, Mrs. Maiden Ibru, publisher of The Guardian is on the list along with veteran Journalist Moji Makanjuola, the National President of National Council of Women Society Nkechi Mba, the chief catering officer in the state house Katherine Adamu, two Directors of the Directorate of State Services (DSS), Sprinter Blessing Okagbare, and two Coaches of the national Under 17 National male football team, the captain of the under 20 female football team, Patience Okaeme, actresses Joke Silva Jacobs and Omotola Ekeinde among others.
