Nigeria@64: FG to unveil new recipients of nat’l honours

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday said the Federal Government will soon announce the new recipients of Nigeria’s National Honours for 2024.

Tinubu revealed this when he addressed Nigerians in a national broadcast on Tuesday to mark the country’s 64th Independence Anniversary.

“As is the tradition, the government will soon announce all the beneficiaries of our national honours for 2024.

“The Senate President and the Chief Justice of the Federation have been conferred with the honour of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger.

“The deputy Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives have the honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic, while the deputy speaker of the House has been awarded Commander of the Order of Niger,” he noted.

A total of 5,347 persons have so far received Nigeria’s National Honours Awards since its inception on October 1, 1963.

This is according to an aggregate of the total awardees compiled by the Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs.

In 2022, former President Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), conferred the highest number of awards since 1963; 495.

This is followed by former President Goodluck Jonathan who awarded 313 persons with honours in 2013 and 2014.

The National Honours Awards was established by the National Honours Act of No. 6 1964. It took retroactive effect from October 1, 1963.

The Act empowers the President by warrant, the Nigerian Order of Dignity to honour deserving citizens who have contributed to the development of and progress of the country in any field of endeavour.

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