Buhari confers public service awards on Jonathan, Wike, others

President Muhammadu Buhari has conferred Nigeria Excellence Award in Public Service (NEAPS) on former president Goodluck Jonathan and 43 other prominent Nigerians.

The event was held at the State House in Abuja on Friday.

Forty-four top personalities in Nigeria, including 16 governors across party lines; ministers, and service chiefs were given the prizes.

NEAPS was set up to recognize distinguished public service to Nigeria, either contributions to individuals; state or local community, or the public through excellence in leadership, service, or humanitarianism.

Also Read: Buhari urges sports ministry, stakeholders to build on Commonwealth games’ success

To be eligible, the recipient must be a living public official or a private a citizen excelling consistently in a given sphere of influence; in good character standing and must also be at the forefront of service and innovation.

Also, the individual must show an act of public service beyond the acts of their given mandate in endowing their society positively.

Senate President Ahmad Lawan; Speaker House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila and service chiefs were among those honoured with various awards for their services.

Also Read: Democracy Day: DG Nat’l Labour Studies Hails PMB, GAA, Applauds Their Infrastructure Dev’t, Says Nigeria on Path of Progress

A total of 16 state governors including Nyesom Wike (Rivers); Yahaya Bello (Kogi); Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi); Dapo Abiodun (Ogun); Dave Umahi (Ebonyi); Babagana Zulum (Borno)and Bala Mohammed (Bauchi).

Additionally, some cabinet Ministers; the Group Chief Executive Officer of the NNPC, Mele Kyari and Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Mohammed Nami were also honoured at the event.

Meanwhile, in his speech, President Buhari stated that nepotism, cronyism, political patronage, lack of transparency; as well as accountability are some of the issues that have exacerbated corruption in the Civil Service.

Also Read: Kwara: Ex- LG Chairman Bags One Year Imprisonment For Making False Statement

President Buhari particularly commended the former President of Nigeria Goodluck Jonathan for his contribution to peacebuilding.

The President recalled that Jonathan began it from the Niger Delta region, noting that such has now been deployed to ensure peace in many parts of Africa as Jonathan led mediation talks in several parts of the globe.