Why There Was Shortage Of Medals And Certificates At National Honours

The country's most prestigious honours awards was marred by a shortage of medals and certificates in Abuja on Monday.

The event, which held amid tight security at the International Conference Center in Abuja, saw President Goodluck Jonathan conferring various classes of national honours on 355 Nigerians.

As a result of the shortages, many of the honourees were unable to get their medals and certificates as is the tradition.

In his bid to defend the shortages, the Secretary to the Federal Government, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, blamed it on the large number of recipients in the 2011 awards ceremony. He also promised those who could not receive their medals and certificates that they would have the materials "in the next one week."

The SGF explained that the award ceremony could not hold in 2010 because of preparations for the 2011 general elections.

In his address, Jonathan skipped the shortage but focused on the criticisms that trailed the announcement of the nominees for the awards.

In a move that suggested that he acknowledged the flaws in the selection process, Jonathan disclosed that he had already directed the government agencies involved to improve on the process.

"One thing I am aware of is that there have been criticisms of the National Award nominations and selection process. I have since directed the appropriate departments to note the concerns that have been expressed and to take steps to ensure further improvement so that the National Honours award can continue to serve its purpose," he said.

The 335 Nigerians who received the awards on Monday brought to 3,924, the total number of recipients of the awards since it was instituted in 1963.

Of the 335, one person received the award of GCON; 65 people were conferred with the honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger; 38 persons received the award of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic; 74 Nigerians received the award of Officer of Federal Republic; 69 were conferred with the honour of Member of the Officer of the Order Federal Republic; 71 people received the award of the Order of the Niger; while 28 others were conferred with the honour of Member of the Order of the Niger. Also, two persons received the First Class Federal Republic Medal, while three others got the Second Class Federal Republic Medal.