For the first time in recent times, all living former heads of
government of Nigeria on Friday gathered under the same roof to join President
Goodluck Jonathan in celebrating the 100 years of the nation’s amalgamation.
The venue was the Presidential Villa, Abuja where the centenary
anniversary presentation and award night/dinner was held.
100 persons, both living and dead, believed to have contributed
meaningfully to national development, were honoured at the colourful event.
The well-attended programme was witnessed by Gen. Yakubu Gowon (retd.),
former President Sheu Shagari, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), Gen.
Ibrahim Babangida (retd.), Chief Ernest Shonekan, Gen. Abdusalam Abubakar and
former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Buhari, Babangida, Abdusalami and Obasanjo were on Thursday absent at
the international conference tagged “Human Security, Peace and defelopment
Agenda for 21st Century Africa” held in Abuja as part of activities marking the
centenary anniversary.
The tone for the night was set by the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi
Okonjo-Iweala, who reviewed a book, “The reforms that have transformed Nigeria
2010-2013.”
According to her, the book contains the various achievements the present
administration had made in making the lives of Nigerians more meaningful.
Such feats, she said, included massive road construction and
rehabilitation, intervention in the power sector, repositioning of the aviation
sector and the reforms in the agriculture sector among others.
Jonathan later presented the book.
The President apologised to Nigerians who he said were eminently
qualified to be honoured but were not captured in the list. He said over 500
persons were in that category.
While saying it was not an easy task for his government to arrive at the
list of 100 honourees, Jonathan promised that his administration would continue
to look for other ways of honouring deserving Nigerians.
The awards were segmented into three major categories: Governance,
Politics and Leadership; Entreprenuership and Endeavour; as well as Personal
Sacrifices, Patriotism and Activism.
Under the first category, recipients who were recognised included
contributors to the making of Nigeria, heroes of the struggle for Nigeria’s
independence/pioneer political leaders, promoters of democratic transition in
Nigeria, accomplished pioneer public servants and outstanding contemporary
public servants.
Under the second category were pioneers in professional
callings/careers, pioneers in commerce and industry, heroes in global sports
competitions, accomplished contemporary entrepreneurs, distinguished academics
and internationally acclaimed artists, literary icons and journalists.
The last category had outstanding bravery and public spiritedness,
outstanding promoters of unity, patriotism and national development as well as
exemplary service in the promotion of peace and moral values as sub-categories.
Highlight of the presentation was when Jonathan presented the the
nation’s former leaders with their awards amidst standing ovation and loud
applause from the audience.
All award recipients were presented with medals and certificate.