BY OKEY NDIRIBE
The Federal Government yesterday in Abuja inaugurated a new board for the Nigeria National Merit Awards, NNMA with Prof. Francis Idachaba as Chairman.

Other members of the board include Prof Paul Onaji, Prof. Laz Ekwueme, Prof Andrew Nokia and Prof. Mrs G.T. Olutunla. Others are Prof. John Enaowho, Prof. Garba Goje and Mr Abiodun Oyemade.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim said the event signified another effort of the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan to promote merit, hardwork and intellectualism in the nation’s quest for sustainable development.

He further stated that NNMA was established by Act 53 of 1979 adding that its primary objective was to confer the Nigerian National Order of Merit, NNOM, on deserving Nigerians who through intellectual and academic attainments have contributed to national and global developments in the fields of science, technology, medicine, humanities, arts and culture and any other field of human endeavor.

According to him: “The Act was subsequently amended by Act 96 of 1992 to: recognize the NNOM as an order of dignity which entitles the dignity to use the designation NNOM after his or her name; receive a cash prize, a certificate and a medal; and enjoy such other privileges as are enjoyed by recipients of high levels of National Honours and institute measures designed to promote intellectual and academic excellence among Nigerians for this purpose and shall liaise with academic, professional and research institutions in Nigeria.”

Anyim further stated that the fore-going mandate places enormous responsibilities on the Governing Board “especially in view of the strategic importance of academic and professional research and development in our quest to meet the set targets of President Jonathan’s Transformation Agenda and Vision 20:20:20.”

Going down memory lane, the SGF recalled that the NNMA has so far conferred awards on 70 distinguished Nigerian intellectuals since its emergence 35 years ago adding that President Jonathan had increased the cash reward for awardees to N10 million.
He explained that this gesture was for the purpose of attracting more intellectuals and academicians to apply for the award.