LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday, conferred national awards on 447 Nigerians including the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and deputy secretary-general of the United Nations, Amina Mohammed.
The event was held at the International Conference Centre in Abuja.
Those who are awarded the honour of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) are Okonjo-Iweala, Hon Justice Olukayode Ariwoola and Hon Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad – the current and erstwhile Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) respectively; the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ms Amina J. Mohammed; and renowned diplomat, Professor Tijjani Muhammad-Bande.
Nigerians with the honour of Commander Of the Order Of the Federal Republic (CFR) are Gbajabiamila; Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege; Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Boss Mustapha; Dr Folashade Yemi-Esan; former speaker Yakubu Dogara; Justice Kudirat M. Kekere-Ekun; Justice Musa Dattijo Muhammad; Justice Monica Bolna’an and Donghan Mansem.
Prominent among awardees of Commander Of the Order of Niger (CON) is Delta state governor and vice-presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ifeanyi Okowa, and some State Governors like Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna, Professor Babagana Zulum of Borno, are also recipients.
Teni The Entertainer was among the entertainers awarded with the Member of the Order of the Niger (MON).
See list of all national awardees: