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Buhari Confers National Honours On Fashola, Okonjo-Iweala, Kyari, Isiguzo, 443 Others
President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, conferred national honours to 449 Nigerians and friends of Nigeria.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the President’s Chief of State, Ibrahim Gambari, were also in attendance at the event, which was held in Abuja.
The awardees include the President’s late Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari; Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State; Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Ishaq Oloyede; the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola; President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Chief Chris Isiguzo; amongst others.
Those who are awarded the honour of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) are Okonjo-Iweala, Hon Justice Olukayode Ariwoola and Hon Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad – the current and erstwhile Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), respectively; the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ms Amina J. Mohammed; and renowned diplomat, Professor Tijjani Muhammad-Bande.
Nigerians with the honour of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) are Gbajabiamila; Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege; Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha; Dr Folashade Yemi-Esan; former speaker, Yakubu Dogara; Justice Kudirat M. Kekere-Ekun; Justice Musa Dattijo Muhammad; Justice Monica Bolna’an, and Donghan Mansem.
Prominent among awardees of Commander of the Order of Niger (CON) is Delta State Governor and vice-presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, and some state governors like Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna, Prof Babagana Zulum of Borno, are also recipients.
The awardees were given the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON); Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR);Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON); Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR); and Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) awards.
Reacting, the National Executive Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) hailed the decision of the Federal Government to honour seasoned journalists as unprecedented.
In a statement signed by the National Secretary, Shuaibu Usman Leman, yesterday, the NUJ said that the union would remain eternally grateful to President Muhammadu Buhari for the honour done its leaders.
The statement read, “The National Executive Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists expresses its gratitude to the President and Commander-in-Chief, Muhammadu Buhari for conferring on the union’s President, Christopher Ikechukwu Isiguzo the award of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR).
“We equally commend President Muhammadu Buhari for honouring Alhaji YakubuIbn Mohammed, immediate past DG of NTA and Mr Femi Adesina, Senior Special Adviser to President Buhari on Media who received the award of the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) and Malam Halilu Ibrahim Dantiye, former President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) who was conferred with Member of the Order of the Niger (MON). We felicitate with these worthy Ambassadors of the Union.
“Chief Christopher Isiguzo, MFR, certainly has the creativity and determination to do so many things in an extraordinary way. The union’s NEC joins him in feeling proud for his most recent achievement. Warm congratulations to our dear leader.
“We commend the ability of the NUJ President to relentlessly search for solutions to problems and find innovative ways to improve the fortunes of the union. These are the keys to this success and many more to come.
“It should be also noted that the President’s perseverance is an inspiration to everyone in the National Executive Council of the union and undoubtedly, he has earned all the accolades coming his way.
“While encouraging all the award recipients to continue to do more, we extend to them, as always, our profound support. Congratulations!”
Also reacting, the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) praised the conferment of the national honours on its leaders as extraordinary and legendary.
A statement titled, “National Honour on Distinguished Journalists; A Plus for Democracy”, signed by NAWOJ President, LadiBala, said that women journalists in the country were proud of the exemplary leadership provided by the honourees, and commended the Federal Government for recognising hardwork and merit.
The statement read, “A new dawn for Nigeria’s democracy is in the horizon following the recognition of the contributions of distinguished, prominent Nigeria’s finest journalists who have contributed in moving the country forward in no small way.
“The conferment of National Award by the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria on the immediate past Director General of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and seasoned administrator, Mr. YakubuIbn Mohammed; and the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President and former President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mr. Femi Adesina, with the Award of the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), and the Award of the Member of the Federal Republic (MFR) on the National President, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr. Chris Isiguzo; and the Award of Member of the Order of Niger (MON) on the former President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, a communication strategist, Mr. Halilu Ibrahim Dantiye, deserve commendation and praises.
“The deserving award on these distinguished journalists is a clear testament of the fact that the role of journalists and the media at large in the development of the country is accorded genuine recognition and appreciated by the federal government.
“It is equally worthy of note that this is the first time in the history of Journalism in Nigeria that such quality numbers are being recognized and so honoured by the federal government.
“The honours will certainly serve as a morale booster and lubricant to inspire other journalists to continue to provide quality information dissemination as well as generate better media contents and serve as the needed oxygen that will strengthen the ideals and principle of democracy for the overall good of the society.
“The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), wishes to congratulate the four Distinguished journalists on the conferment of the National Awards and wish them higher and greater heights in their future endeavours.
“The awards and recognition, speak volumes and indeed, a thing of pride to all journalists.
“Accordingly, NAWOJ commends President Muhammadu Buhari for the kind gesture accorded the 437 Nigerians who have rendered meritorious services towards the growth and development of the country.
“The 2022 National Honour Awards of the Federal Republic of Nigeria will surely be remembered for its unique choices of the awardees”.
Meanwhile, a total of 447 out of over 5,000 nominees received were presented the National Honours Awards, the Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, George Akume has said.
Akume stated this in his opening address at the National Honours Awards Investiture at the International Conference Centre, Abuja on Tuesday.
According to Akume, only 447 persons made the hallowed list out of all the nominees, who were drawn from various walks of life across the public and private sectors.
The National Honours Awards was established by the National Honours Act of No 6 in 1964. It took retroactive effect from October 1, 1963.
The Act empowers the President by warrant, the Nigerian Order of Dignity to honour deserving citizens who have contributed to the development and progress of the country in any field of endeavour.
According to the Minister, 447 citizens and foreigners labelled as “Nigerians and Friends of Nigeria,” received various honours ranging from the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger and Federal Republic Medals.
The GCON category include: former Nigeria’s Finance Minister and current Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, NgoziOkonjo-Iweala; Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, current Chief Justice of Nigeria, OlukayodeAriwoola, former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Tanko Mohammed; Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Amina Mohammed, and former President of the United Nations General Assembly, Tijjani Mohammed-Bande.
Some of the 13 persons who will be 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, the latter two who died in a fatal plane crash in May 2021.
Dignitaries, who graced the occasion are Vice President YemiOsinbajo, Senate President, Ahmed Laman, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief Justice of Nigeria, OlukayodeAriwoola, the President’s Chief of Staff, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police, and traditional Rulers including the Emir of Lafia, Sidi Mohammad, who is the Chairman of the National Honours Awards Committee.
Nigeria’s crude oil production has surged to an 11-month high in May, 2026, with the country exceeding its Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) production quota.
The average crude oil production recorded during the month of May represents 102 per cent of Nigeria’s 1.5mbpd of production quota allocated by the OPEC.
The production report released by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), yesterday, disclosed that Nigeria’s oil production averages 1,530,354 barrels of crude oil and 170,446 barrels of condensates per day (bpd).
According to the report, this brings the total combined production to 1, 700, 800 barrels per day and consolidating Nigeria’s position as Africa’s largest oil producer.
The report said the production performance during the review period remained robust, with combined crude oil and condensate output ranging between a low of 1.51 million bpd and a peak of 1.86 million bpd.
It said the May 2026 production figures represented the highest recorded by Nigeria since July 2025, when output surged to 1,712,282.
“In strict crude oil terms (excluding condensates), the 1.53 million barrels recorded in May 2026 represents the highest Nigeria has witnessed since January 2025 when crude oil production hit 1.538mbpd.
“The latest crude oil production statistics thus represents a 15-month high on a month on month basis, production rose by 2.77 per cent in May 2026 as against 1.48mbpd in April,” it said.
The report said the broader production trend over the last five months had also remained positive.
It said combined crude oil and condensate output increased from 1.48 million bpd in February to 1.54 million bpd in March, 1.66 million bpd in April, and then 1.7 million bpd in May, underscoring sustained growth in Nigeria’s hydrocarbon production levels.
According to the report, among production streams, Bonny Terminal led the pack with a total blend of 293,870 bpd, closely followed by Forcados Terminal at 289,900 bpd, Qua Iboe ranked third with 173,360 bpd, while Escravos Oil Terminal contributed 135,470 bpd.
It said the Odudu (Amenam Blend) completed the top five production streams, accounting for 63,250 bpd during the month under review.
The NUPRC attributes the rise in production to a sustained positive momentum as operations remained stable throughout the reporting period with no significant pipeline or facility outages recorded.
Additionally, all previously scheduled turnaround maintenance activities had been successfully completed, contributing to improved operational reliability and production efficiency.
The House of Representatives, yesterday passed a landmark constitutional amendment bill to establish state police nationwide, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s decades-long debate over decentralising policing and strengthening internal security.
The bill, titled “A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Provide for the Establishment of State Police and for Related Matters (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026,” was approved during consideration at the Committee of the Whole, presided over by Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas.
Voting commenced after the Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, presented the report on the proposal and canvassed support from lawmakers, stressing the need for a more decentralised policing framework to effectively address the country’s growing security challenges.
The exercise was conducted manually, with members raising their hands to indicate their positions. At the end of the voting, 289 lawmakers voted in support of the bill, one member abstained, while none voted against it, reflecting overwhelming bipartisan backing for the far-reaching reform.
The proposed amendment seeks to fundamentally restructure Nigeria’s policing architecture by creating both Federal and State Police formations.
One of the bill’s key provisions amends Section 214 of the 1999 Constitution to formally establish the Federal Police and the State Police. Under the proposal, the National Assembly would be empowered to prescribe the structure, organisation, administration and powers of the Federal Police, while also providing the legal framework and minimum standards for the establishment and operation of state police services.
The bill stipulates that no state police formation shall commence operations unless it is established by a law enacted by the relevant State House of Assembly and certified as complying with national minimum standards prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly.
It further provides that until a state police force becomes operational, the Federal Police shall continue to exercise policing powers and responsibilities within such states.
In a bid to preserve the autonomy of state police formations and prevent undue federal interference, the bill limits federal intervention in states’ internal security affairs. Under the proposal, the Federal Police may intervene only where there is a complete breakdown of law and order, upon the request of a governor or where a state police force becomes unable to function due to administrative, financial or other operational challenges.
The amendment also proposes significant changes to the police’s appointment and command structure.
Under the amended Section 215 of the Constitution, the Inspector-General of Police would be appointed by the President on the advice of the Nigeria Police Council from among serving members of the Federal Police, subject to confirmation by the National Assembly.
Similarly, a State Commissioner of Police would be appointed by a governor on the advice of the Nigeria Police Council from among serving officers of the State Police, subject to confirmation by the respective State House of Assembly.
The bill empowers governors to issue lawful directives to State Commissioners of Police on matters relating to public safety and the maintenance of law and order. However, where a commissioner considers such directives unlawful or inconsistent with accepted policing standards, the matter may be referred to the Nigeria Police Council, whose decision shall be final.
The proposal also amends Section 84 of the Constitution by replacing references to the “National Police Council and the Federal Police Service Commission” with the “Nigeria Police Council and the Police Service Commission.”
The passage of the bill by the House represents one of the most far-reaching security reforms contemplated since the return to democratic rule in 1999 and is expected to rekindle nationwide debate on issues relating to funding, accountability, operational control and safeguards against abuse.
With the House’s approval, the constitutional amendment bill will now proceed to the Senate for concurrence. Thereafter, it must secure the endorsement of at least two-thirds of the State Houses of Assembly and receive presidential assent before becoming part of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
If eventually enacted, the legislation would usher in a new era of multi-layered policing in Nigeria and could redefine the country’s approach to tackling banditry, terrorism, kidnapping and other forms of violent crimes through a more localised security architecture.
The Federal Government has declared today, public holiday to commemorate Nigeria’s 27 years of unbroken democratic rule.
This is contained in a statement in Abuja, by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Magdalene Ajani.
Ajani said that the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the declaration on behalf of the federal government.
Tunji-Ojo reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to the preservation of democratic ideals, rule of law, transparency, accountability and inclusive governance.
He assured that the ministry in collaboration with relevant security agencies woulsd continue to take appropriate measures in maintaining and strengthening Nigeria’s internal security.
The minister noted that a secured and stable environment was essential to democracy and national development.
He urged Nigerians to see the holiday as an opportunity for civic reflection.
“As we mark this historic day, every Nigerian is encouraged to remain law-abiding, uphold the institutions that sustain our democracy, and remember that the strength of any democracy lies ultimately in the character of its citizens,” he said.
He also said that June 12 every year remained a significant day in Nigeria’s history in honour of the courage, resilience and sacrifices of Nigerians whose efforts made democratic governance possible.
“Their legacies continue to inform the values and responsibilities of the Nigerian state,”Tunji-Ojo added.
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