Good-Hearted Islamic Cleric, Airport Cleaner, 2 Security Guards, 433 Others Bag National Honours
BY EDMOND ODOK – Despite controversies trailing the names of those nominated for national honours, an 87-year-old Islamic cleric, Alhaji Abdulahi Abubakar; a cleaner, Joseph Agu; two security guards, Rahim Mohammed and Misa Usman, are among notable Nigerians listed for recognition by President Muhammadu Buhari
The foursome will be celebrated by the country for their acts of brotherliness, diligence, honesty and committed service at the national event scheduled to hold in Abuja on October 11, 2022.
This is as it was also gathered that for his good governance performance, the Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum has been pencilled down among honourees for the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) conferment on him by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Similarly, reports indicate that Alhaji Abubakar will be decorated with Member, Order of Niger (MON) for saving the lives of 262 fleeing Christians from Boko Haram insurgents at Yelwa Gindi Akwati village in Plateau State.
On his part, Joseph Agu, a cleaner at Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos will be decorated for a rare display of honesty at his duty post.
In 2015, Agu, a staff of a cleaning company at the Lagos Airport, found and returned $12,200 forgotten inside the toilet by a passenger. On discovering the money, Agu returned it to the security officials at the airport to the surprise of many Nigerians.
Also, Ibrahim Mohammed Ogbanago, a security guard working for United Bank of Africa (UBA) Plc, found an envelope containing $10,000 at the gate of the bank but returned it.
She was commended at the time by the National Assembly (NASS) and the airport authorities. Likewise, Musa Isman, a security man attached to V. Venghese, an Indian national and director of the Jawa International Limited.
The gateman, as reliably informed, rejected the offer of a house but requested that a borehole be drilled in his community. Usman hails from Glijimmi, a Fulani settlement in Birmiwa Local Government Area of Jigawa state.
Commenting on speculations surrounding the list, Director of Press, Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-governmental Affairs, Julie Jacobs, said the Ministry is awaiting approval from President Muhammadu Buhari to officially make the names public.
She said; “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”.
