Obasanjo, Buhari, IBB commend award, say Nigeria remains one entity . Some of the living former Nigerian Heads of State and Presidents, who were decorated by President Goodluck Jonathan with the centenary awards, Friday, hailed the honour, saying it indicated that Nigeria was making progress. The seven living heads of state were decorated at the centenary anniversary awards night and dinner, alongside 93 recipients, at the banquet hall of the Presidential Villa. The decorated leaders are Yakubu Gowon, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Alhaji Shehu Shagari and Gen. Muhammadu Buhari. Others are Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, Chief Ernest Shonekan and Gen. Abdusalami Abubakar. Six late Nigerian Heads of State were honoured posthumously. The posthumous award-ees are Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Alhaji Tafawa Balewa, Gen. Aguiyi Ironsi, Gen. Murtala Mohammed, Gen. Sani Abacha and Alhaji Musa Yar’Adua.Also in the category is the winner of the June 1993 general election, Basorun Moshood Abiola. Fielding questions from State House correspondents later, Obasanjo said the award “means Nigeria is making progress. If Nigeria survived the first100 years, it means that Nigeria has come to stay.”Buhari on his part said, “the award means a lot to me to be qualified to be recognised by Nigerians. My wish for Nigeria is security.” Babangida said, “The award means a lot. Most of us that were awarded today, the younger genera-tion should try to emulate us because they will serve as sources of inspiration and aspiration.”Shonekan said, “the award means a lot to me. It makes me want to work harder for the unity and progress of the country.”Abubakar said, “Nigeria has come a long way and we thank God. The future generation should try and do better than what we have done and keep this country together.” Meanwhile, the award night united President Jonathan with Obasanjo and Buhari, who have been staunch critics of his administration. Obasanjo had recently written an open letter to Jonathan accusing him of corruption, promoting ethnicity as well as training killer squad to eliminate political opponents. Buhari on the other hand has used every opportunity to criticize the Jonathan ad-ministration’s handling of the economy, corruption, security and political issues. But all those differences were put aside as the President honoured them. Meanwhile, the government has explained why late dictator, Gen. Sani Abacha was among 100 Nigerians nominated for award. The government said, “He took over power when the nation was on the brink of precipice. He mobilised the nation’s most prominent political class into his cabinet and succeeded in ensuring the continued unity of the nation. He also raised Nigeria’s inter-national standing for his peace keeping military interventions in Sierra Leone and Liberia”. President Jonathan, in his short remarks described the event as unique, even as a minute silence was observed for those killed by terrorist sect, Boko Haram
Posted on: Sun, 02 Mar 2014 17:16:06 +0000
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