President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved national honours for 959 recipients, comprising Nigerians and foreign nationals, following meetings of the National Council of State and the Police Council at the State House in Abuja.
Dr. Emanso Umobong, Permanent Secretary of the Cabinet Affairs Office, disclosed that the President endorsed the report of the National Honours Award Committee for 2024 and 2025, as well as special awards conferred earlier this year.
According to Umobong, out of over 5,000 nominations screened, 824 individuals were selected for the 2024/2025 National Honours, while 135 others received special presidential awards, bringing the total number of honorees to 959.
Umobong explained that the annual recognition celebrates citizens and non-citizens who have made significant contributions to Nigeria’s development and humanity.
Among those honoured in the past year are Bill Gates for his work in public health, Uncle Sam Pemu for contributions to journalism, the Super Falcons and D’Tigress for sports excellence, and Professor Mahmood Yakubu, former INEC Chairman, for his service to Nigeria’s democracy.
The government also conferred posthumous honours on the late Ogoni Nine and Ogoni Four for their environmental activism.
Following the Council of State meeting, President Tinubu chaired a Police Council session where significant reforms to the Nigeria Police Trust Fund were approved.
Minister of Police Affairs Ibrahim Geidam announced that the Council approved the repeal and re-enactment of the 2019 Police Trust Fund Act, removing the six-year limitation and making it a permanent agency.
The fund’s allocation was also increased from 0.5 per cent to 1 per cent of the Federation Account to enhance training, welfare, and technology acquisition for the police force.
Geidam stated that the Attorney-General of the Federation has been directed to prepare an executive bill incorporating all approved changes for submission to the National Assembly.
