BY EDMOND ODOK – The Federal Government has described as fake and inappropriate the list of national honours nominees currently being circulated in the media space by some organisations.
According to the Director of Press, Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-governmental Affairs, Julie Jacobs, the Ministry is waiting for approval by President Muhammadu Buhari before officially releasing the list.
Jacobs, who said it has unfortunately come to the notice of the Ministry that some people are even deleting and adding names to the original list, stated that; “From the Ministry, nothing has come out from us yet.
“We are still waiting for approval by Mr President before we publish it. That does not mean that all the names there are wrong but I understand that some people are deleting and adding names”.
In her earlier statement, the Ministry Spokesperson said; “The list in circulation is an attempt by overzealous reporters whose aim is to break news even when such news is fake.”
She said though President Muhammadu Buhari would be conferring National Honours on deserving Nigerians and friends of Nigeria, the authentic list of nominees is yet to be released to the public.
Jacobs said in her statement thus; “The attention of the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs has been drawn to a purported list of nominees for National Honours being circulated by some online media organisations.
“While it is true that President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, will be conferring National Honours on deserving Nigerians and friends of Nigeria on 11th October 2022, the authentic list of nominees is yet to be released to the public.
“The Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs will publish the list at the appropriate time and medium. Members of the public are hereby enjoined to discountenance the list in circulation as it is an attempt by overzealous reporters whose aim is to break news even when such news is fake.”
Among the names that appeared on the controversial list being circulated is the late Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, said to enjoy the honours posthumously alongside 436 other eminent Nigerians selected by the Federal Government.
The purported list also features Presidential Spokesperson, Femi Adesina, Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and former Nigeria’s Finance Minister, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Ishaq Oloyede with the investiture slated for October 11, 2022, at the State House in Abuja.
