148 Nigerians are to be conferred with the National Honours Award on September 17, according to a statement signed by Dr. Henry Akpan, the Permanent Secretary, Special Duties Office, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
The statement said that only Chief Michael Adenuga, Chairman, of Nigeria’s indigenous telecommunications company Globacom would be conferred with the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON).
It said that 11 Nigerians are to be honoured in the category of the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR).
They include Hon. Justice Mary Odili, Inspector- General of Police Mohammed Abubakar, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion and the first Governor of Lagos State, Brig.-Gen. Mobolaji Johnson (Rtd).
Similarly, 25 Nigerians will be honoured in the category of the Commander of the Niger (CON). They include Governors Gabriel Suswam of Benue, Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta, Martin Elechi of Ebonyi, Danbaba Suntai of Taraba and seven senators.
The statement listed Mr. Oluwole Olanipekun (SAN) and Mr. Alex Izinyon (SAN), among 24 Nigerians who are to be honoured with the award of the Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR).
It said that 38 people including Mrs. Esther Gonda, the Permanent Secretary, Special Services office in the office of the Secretary to Government of the Federation, are to be honoured with the Order of the Niger (OON).
Alhaji Salisu Maikasuwa, the Clerk of the National Assembly and Alhaji Mohammed Ahmed, the Director General of PENCOM are also among those to be honoured in that category.
In the category of the Member of the Federal Republic (MFR), 38 people will be honoured with the award, including nine traditional rulers and three religious leaders, while 12 recipients will be conferred with the Member of the Niger.
The statement said that President Goodluck Jonathan would confer the awards on these deserving Nigerians at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.
It added that the Special Duties Office was working assiduously to ensure a hitch free ceremony.