1st Oct 2014 As Nigerians celebrates her 54th Independence Day anniversary, it is important to remember and appreciate the heroes who have done their best to make the country a better place.
We told you recently, of the honest taxi driver, Mr Imeh Usuah who years after returning a large amount of money to a customer in his taxi, was chosen by The National Committee for National Honours and Awards to receive the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR). He, among many others, were acknowledged for their various services to the nation.
The awards were handed down by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and Mr. Usuah; stood proudly as he was acknowledged for his honesty. The president also recognized the exemplary services of ordinary Nigerians such as Solomon Dauda, a hardworking traffic warden and Mr Michael Onuh, chief steward in the Presidency who has served nine presidents.
There was a special note of celebration as the designer of the Nigerian flag, Pa Michael Akinkunmi was conferred with the Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) and placed on a salary for life.
The National Awards were instituted in 1963 as a means of encouraging the spirit of nationalism and patriotism amongst Nigerians. The recipients list included Nigerians from all works of life who have distinguished themselves in their chosen fields. 25 of them were conferred with Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR), while 54 people got the Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) award, 60 persons were awarded Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), 53 received Member of the Order of the Niger awards, 63 persons got awarded Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), while 56 were conferred with Member of the Order of the Niger (MON). Also awarded were both first and second class Federal Republic Medals.