“National Honours Should Be for Entrepreneurs, Not Politicians”: Peter Obi Slams FG

• At Igbinedion's Book Launch in Abuja, Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, launched a scathing attack against the Nigerian government
• Peter Obi, at the event, urged the federal government to honour productive Nigerians and not politicians
• Obi spoke days after Atiku Abubakar and other top figures criticised President Bola Tinubu for awarding national honours and cash and house gifts to the Super Falcons

Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.

Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has criticised the federal government’s practice of conferring national honours on politicians.

Obi, spoke on Thursday, July 31, in Abuja at the public presentation of The Chronicles of a Legend, a biography of business mogul and philanthropist, Gabriel Igbinedion.

At the event, the former governor of Anambra state, Obi, called for a reform in how the prestigious national awards are bestowed.

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He said:

“The Grand Commander of the Federal Republic, GCFR, and Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger, GCON, should be for entrepreneurs and productive people, not politicians.

“We have to change the way we honour people.”

Speaking further, Obi hailed Igbinedion’s contributions to aviation, education, and the preservation of Nigeria’s cultural heritage, insisting that achievers like him deserve more celebration and recognition from the nation.

In a post shared on his X page on Thursday, accompanied by photos of the event, Obi wrote:

“We live in a country where we celebrate people who are supposed not to be celebrated. If we did, the celebration we are giving him today would have been more.”

Atiku criticises Tinubu for Super Falcons honours

Obi spoke after Atiku Abubakar, the former vice president of Nigeria, joined critics in tackling President Bola Tinubu's administration over his gift for the Super Falcons of Nigeria.

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Drama as Atiku drags Tinubu as presidency compares gifts to Super Falcons With BBNaija prize

Legit.ng reported that while hosting the winning team at the presidential villa on Monday, July 28, Tinubu conferred the National Honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) on all 24 players in the team. He also announced the gifting of three-bedroom apartments and a cash gift of $100,000 each.

However, Tinubu's gifts to the Super Falcons after winning the WAFCON 2024 championship have sparked reactions among Nigerians.

Many Nigerians have argued for equal recognition of individuals contributing to education, health, and national security.

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• Presidency defends Tinubu’s $100,000 Falcons rewards, says “BBNaija is offering N150m prize money”
• "After 35yrs of service, police get N2m": Sowore reacts as Tinubu rewards Super Falcons $100m each
• June 12: Tinubu apologises for omission, confers national honour on ex-Kaduna governor Dangiwa Umar

Tinubu confers national honours on Ken Saro-Wiwa, others

Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that President Tinubu granted posthumous presidential pardon and conferred national honours on the late environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa and the eight other members of the Ogoni Nine.

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Man slams President Tinubu for splashing $100k on each Super Falcons player

Tinubu made the declaration during his address to a joint session of the National Assembly to commemorate Nigeria’s Democracy Day on Thursday, June 12.

Exercising his constitutional powers under the Prerogative of Mercy, President Tinubu described the Ogoni Nine as "national heroes" who had fought valiantly for justice, equity, and the environment.

Proofreading by Funmilayo Aremu, copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng