Elumelu, Jim Ovia, Wigwe, others get national honours

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday conferred national honours on about 450 Nigerians and friends of Nigeria including businessman and philanthropist Tony Elumelu.

The 2022 National Honours Award Investiture took place at the International Conference Centre in Abuja.

Mr Elumelu, who already has the MON and CON titles, was presented the CFR title by President Buhari.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the President’s Chief of Staff Ibrahim Gambari were in attendance at the event.

The chief executive of Access Holdings Co., Herbert Wigwe, bagged the CON title.

Managing director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari, got the OFR title.

Minister of works and housing Babatunde Fashola, was awarded the CON title.

Others include the founder and chairman of Zenith Bank, Jim Ovia; Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu (CON); Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku (CON); business magnate, Kessington Adebutu (CFR); Emir of Kano, Aminu Bayero (CFR); Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III (CFR); and a former president of the Nigerian Bar Association, Wole Olanipekun (CFR), among others.

Director-general of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Ishaq Oloyede; Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State also got awards.

Some of the 13 persons who were honoured posthumously include former Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari (CFR); former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru; and Aircraft Man Matthew Oyedepo.