Victor EzejaPresident Muhammadu Buhari has honoured the Islamic leader, Imam Abdullahi Abubakar, who hid over 262 Christians in his mosque from attacks in Yelwa Gindi Akwati village, in Plateau State.
Abdullahi Abubakar, 86, was nominated for the award for his heroic deed that saved the lives of those christians during crisis in the Plateau community.
It would be recalled that Abubakar was said to have hid 262 Christians in his mosque when suspected bandits attacked 10 communities in the Barkin Ladi LGA of the state in June 2018.
Buhari conferred on him the award of the Member of the Order of the Niger (MON).
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In his speech, President Buhari said: rh”He is a good example of religious tolerance we preach amongst Nigerians. I am excited that he is being honoured today with Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR).
Buhari also conferred National Honours on an airport cleaner, Ms. Josephine Agu, who returned $12,200 found in a toilet at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos State, and a bank security guard, Ogbanago Muhammed Ibrahim, who found and returned $10,000.
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The event which took place on Tuesday, October 11 at International Conference Centre, Abuja, saw other notable Nigerians receive various categories of narional awards and medals of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Notable among them are Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations Amina Muhammad; Senate President, Ahmad Lawan; Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Olukayode Ariwoola, and immediate past CJN, Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad. They received Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger, the second highest national honours award in the country.
Buhari commended the National Awards Committee headed by a retired Justice of the Supreme Court and the Emir of Lafia, Sidi Bage Muhammad for a great and patriotic duty by diligently going through over 5,000 submissions and coming up with number of persons recommended for the awards.
The president explained that the screening and selection of nominees for this year’s award, as always, followed established broad criteria, in accordance with the National Honours Act CAP.N43 of the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
“Citizens who contribute to national development deserve to be encouraged and appreciated. It is based on this premise that I reconstituted the National Honours Award Committee, Chaired by His Royal Highness, Justice Sidi Bage Muhammad I, JSC (Rtd), the Emir of Lafia, a distinguished retired Justice and other patriotic Nigerians as members to recommend suitable Nigerians and our friends for appropriate recognition.
“The committee has done a patriotic duty by diligently going through over 5,000 submissions and coming up with these recommendations.
“The patriotic Nigerians and our friends being honoured today, have distinguished themselves in various ways for the purpose of recreating a new Nigeria of our dreams through respect for the rule of law, image laundering, transparency and accountability in management of scarce resources.
“Equally, those in the private sector have also creditably discharged themselves in business, entertainment, hospitality, transportation and other forms of human endeavours to transform Nigeria,” Buhari stated.
Speaking about the airport cleaner and bank security guard who were given award, the president said their attitude shows that despite the hard economic situation in Nigeria, there are still people with integrity.
“Today, we celebrate their dignity and strong strength of character by conferring National Honours on them. They are a shining example to our younger generation,” Buhari added.
“I congratulate all the recipients today who will be joining the league of Awardees. I appreciate the non-Nigerian recipients and assure all of you that this administration will continue to provide the enabling environment for you to undertake your lawful businesses to allow you sustain your efforts at contributing to the development of our nation, Nigeria.”
He further stated that the honour is “not merely decorative” but a call to an “important part of our responsibility as citizens.” “We must always endeavour to do our best for our country,” Buhari added.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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