Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan says national honours should be withdrawn from persons with questionable character.
Noting that awards are a way of recognising worthy citizens, he said those who no longer deserve such honours should be stripped of them.
The former President called for a law empowering the Federal Government and states to withdraw national honours and awards from holders found wanting in character and conduct.
“Talking about awards, I want to say, probably, when we are making laws, at the federal level, there should be an amendment empowering the president or the governors to strike off such honours,” he said.
He spoke in Abakaliki, during the maiden Ebonyi State Honors Award where he was conferred with Grand Commander, Ebonyi Hall of Fame (GCEHF).
Jonathan said his award would further strengthen the agelong bond between Bayelsa and Ebonyi.
Over 300 prominent Nigerians from all over the country were honoured at the event.
Among those honoured at the grand finale held Thursday night at the Christian Ecumenical Centre, Abakaliki, was the Late Head of State, General Sani Abacha.
He was honoured posthumously as GCEHF for being the instrument for Ebonyi State creation in October 1996.
Other honourees included the Chief of Staff to President Mohammadu Buhari, Alhaji Ibrahim Gambari; Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor; two former Governors of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi and Ayo Fayose as well as former Governor of Abia State, Chief Theodore Orji.
Governor Umahi also honoured his predecessors, Chief Martin Elechi and Senator Sam Egwu as well as the first Military Administrator of the State, Navy Commander Walter Feghabor, among others.
President Muhammadu Buhari, the special guest of honour, congratulated Umahi for the feats he has attained in political leadership.
Buhari, whose speech was delivered by his representative, the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, noted that Governor Umahi’s administrative policies are in tandem with the three core pillars of Buhari’s administration: Economy, Security ananti-corruptionon.
He commended Umahi for his commitment to security in Southeast, his unprecedented infrastructure and agricultural policies which he observed, have made Ebonyi one of the largest producers of rice in the country.
