By Kola Animasaun
ON 22 of July, Nigeria sowed a wealth of awards and some of her citizens won some of them. For some of them deserving, I congratulate them.
Some of them were good corporate citizens and they have done some of their people proud. Year in and year out some of them have been consistent in their labours.

Some of them have laboured in the vineyard that has been the government; in the military – the army, the navy and the air-force. The police, the customs and the para-military.

Unlike the commercialists or the traders or the manufacturers they plied their intangible commodities as best as they possibly could.
Among the commercialists Femi Otedola, Felix Ibru, tower above many.

And among those who gave Nigeria the good name in technology was Prof. Bart O. Nnaji  Professor Tam David-West (did he receive his award?) And there was Professor Mosobalaje Olaloye Oyawoye. Of course, (Baba Kekere) Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande was among the beacons. He shone in Journalism and in politics.

He ought to have been awarded years ago. However, it is better late than never.
In law and advocacy there were many to point at. There was Justice Dahiru Musdapher, recently retired Justice C.A Oguntade, Justice Niki Jobi; Justice Fati Abubakar (Mrs) and spouse of Abdulsalam Abubakar (General), a former Head of State of Nigeria. There was Justice Olutunola Oyelola Adekeye and there was Professor Ben Nwabueze, a Senior Advocate and  constitutional expert.

Nigeria’s first woman Senior Advocate, Olufolake Solanke, was named in the honours. In 1964, she wrote me a letter of threat as a member of F.R.A Williams Chambers.

The ranks of politicians was full. You can name them: Ghali Umar Na’abba, ex-speaker; Dr. Sam Egwu; Chief Don Obot Etiebet; Shaba Lafiaji; Alhaji Balarabe Musa, former Governor, Kaduna State; Gov. Bukola Saraki of Kwara State; Sneator Jibril Martins – Kuye and Senator Victor Ndoma Egba, Dr. Joseph Wayas, former Senate President headed the political awards. He bagged the honour of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) and Mike Akhigbe ruled the military ones. The new Chief  Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloysius Iyorgyer Katsina Alu, headed the bar over-all.

There are some bright, very bright sports in this beautiful spotlight. Chinedum Ikedieze, a Nollywood star, bagged MFR as well as disabled musician Joel Olayinka Ayefele who was honoured with the MON.

The very Rev. Fr Nicholas Chukwuemeka Tagbo was also honoured as an OON; The Officer Of the Order of Niger at 80 years has a positive impact on the boys of the Christ, the King College, Onitsha. In a citation, he was quoted to have “straightened some crooked boys. He did cast out the devils in some of us; He surely made a number of us deaf boys to hear, the lazy and lame among boys to walk and run, and he did raise dead boys to greater heights!”

I have noted some misplaced among the awardees. For instance what did the disgraced former  speaker of the House have to do with this honours. Until she was announced one had forgotten all about her. She has not contributed to debates or done anything of note to her constituencies. She does not adorn that honour. And she has been awarded a CFR!

There are others whose honour has been an aberration. Of course, the President of the Republic seems to be very aware of this very shortcoming and he has promised to review the criteria that were used for the selection of nominees of the award of national honours with a view to raising the standard of eligibility.

He said the bar for the selection of nominees would be further raised in the award process so that it challenges compatriots to strive towards excellence.

He said observations made by members of the pubic concerning the process had been well received by government and would form part of the considerations when organsing future ones.

Jonathan said: “The institution of national honours has been part of our national heritage that has blossomed since the First Republic, and should be preserved for the inspirations it offers for our citizens for greatness. It is a veritable instrument to draw our attention to the possibilities within the Nigerian enterprise despite the huge challenges we have.”
Enahoro at 87

CHIEF Anthony Eromosele Enahoro turned 87 years old on July 22. His is a romantic story. And many a young man has  drawn aspiration from his life.

He was editor at 21, an elected legislator when he joined the Action Group in 1951 at 28. He moved the historic motion for self government for Nigeria in 1956 at 33.He was minister of Home Affairs, Western Region in 1953 at 30.

But it has not been that smooth sailing. Chief Enahoro went to prison three times in the cause of journalism, fighting for the people.  First time for nine months in 1945  for an editorial in the Comet. Second time in 1948 for 18 months for allegedly inciting the police against the “King”; and the third time in 1948 for six months in his part for a lecture in “A call for Revolution.” His political career was no less turbulent and romantic.

He was detained in 1962 at 39 following the cirsis in the Western Region. He left the country before he and top Action Groupers were charged with conspiracy to overthrow the Federal Government. He was repatriated to Nigeria from Britain and charged with treasonable felony. He was jailed for the forth time for 15 years.

Tony’s life turned when General Gowon overthrew the Ironsi government. Chief Awolowo and Chief Enahoro were freed from prison and pardoned and made part of the government.

Chief Enahoro led the adhoc Constitution Conference in 1966. He was appointed the Federal Commissioner for Information, Labour and Cultural Affairs 1967 – 75. Chief Enahoro has been a foremost nationalist. He has been taking part in pro-democracy debates and activities. At 87 the journalist and politician does not look like he intends to retire soon.