President, Muhammadu Buhari today in Abuja, confer national honours on at least 447 persons.
Those on the honours list include Nigerians and those tagged “Friends of Nigeria.”
They include the Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu (CON); Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku (CON); business magnate, Kessington Adebutu (CFR); Emir of Kano, Aminu Bayero (CFR); Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III (CFR); and a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Wole Olaonipekun (CFR), amongst others.
According to the Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, the honourees also include living and deceased Nigerians and “Foreigners” who will be conferred with awards ranging from Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger to Federal Republic Medals.
Others include Solomon Adeola (CON), Akinboro Aruwajoye (OON), Dr Prince Ibidapo (OON), A.V.M Ishaya Shekarri (CON), Mrs Comfort Eyitayo (OON), Ajibola Adebutu (MON), Demola Seriki (CON), Habeeb Okunola (MON), Mrs Shade Okoya (MON), Senator Tolulope Odebiyi (CON), Dr Gabriel Ogbechie (OON), Mele Kyari (OFR), Oba Babatunde Ajayi (CFR), Dr Attia Nasreddin (OFR), Mr Olusola Adeeyo (OON), Dr Richard Nyong (OON) and Mr Remi Makanjuola (OON).
They also include Senator Michael Bamidele (CON), Dr Samson Ayokunle (CON), Justice Idris Haroon (OFR), Justice Sulyman Kawu (OFR), Dr Sulaiman Onikijipa (OON), Dr Kamorun Yusuf (MON), Rear Admiral Abdul Adamu (OFR), Mr Victor Etuokwu (MON), Dr Herbert Wigwe (CON), Gershom Henshaw (MFR), Adeniyi Bashir Adewale (MFR), Prof Bolaji Owasanoye (OFR), amongst others.
Some of the 13 persons who will be honoured posthumously include former Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari (CFR); former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru; and Aircraft Man Matthew Oyedepo.
Attahiru and Oyedepo died in a plane crash in May 2021.
Accroding to reports, the Minister of Special Duties, George Akume, last week Tuesday said the authentic list of national honourees would be released “soon.”
Akume said this shortly after meeting with the President at the State House, nullifying an earlier list in circulation which fueled mixed reactions from Nigerians.
Asked about the 437 names circulating earlier, he said, “We did not release any list.”
In late September, a list purportedly released by the Ministry of Special Duties had 437 names slated for the honours.
However, another published by the Ministry on Sunday showed 447 persons to be honoured at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, on Tuesday.
