Vice President Yemi Osinbajo stated that Nigeria has significant human resources and capabilities throughout its territory, and that we must guarantee that opportunities are provided on a large scale to enable all of our citizens to realize their full potential.
Osinbajo made the remarks during the Nigerian National Merit Award (NNMA) Dinner, which took place on Tuesday at the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja.
It was an event held in honor of the Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM) honorees for 2020 and 2021 - Prof. Olayinka Olurotimi Olutoye and late Prof. Charles Ejike Chidume (2020); and Prof. Godwin Osakpemwoye Samuel Ekhaguere (2021).
President Muhammadu Buhari had earlier presented the coveted
Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM) honor on the three eminent Nigerians.
The event was not held in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
While Dr Olutoye was honoured for his unique contributions
in the field of fetal surgery, Prof. Ekhaguere was awarded for pioneering new
approaches in the branch of Mathematical Physics known as Axiomatic Quantum
Field Theory; and Prof. Chidume was honoured posthumously for his outstanding
contributions in Mathematics, Physics and Engineering.
Speaking at the Awards dinner, Prof. Osinbajo was of the
view that the idea of merit and representation (by regions) are not mutually
exclusive concepts, because “the Nigerian genius for achievement” can be found
nationwide.
“Often in our national discourse, we tend to juxtapose the
idea of merit with that of representation as though they are mutually exclusive
concepts and it is suggested that there is an inherently natural disparity in
the geographical distribution of talent.
“Yet what the distinguished array of laureates from all over
our country that have been assembled over the years shows us is that the
Nigerian genius for achievement can be found in every corner of our country,”
he said.
The VP stated that opportunities must be provided on a mass
scale to enable “all of our citizens actualize their highest potential.”
Emphasizing on Nigeria’s human capital potential and the
need to pay more attention to the education of the girl-child, the VP stated
that “in so doing, we will renew our pantheon of world-beating achievers in
every generation and continually rediscover the human capital for perpetual
national growth.”
In the same vein, the Vice President noted that the Awards’
representation over the years was a telling reminder of the need to pick
Nigeria’s ‘first eleven’ for national tasks, irrespective of federal quota,
tribe or religion.
According to him, the glittering cast of Nigerians that have
received this Award over the past four decades was reflected more, not only by
the variety of achievement, but also by their diversity of origin.
“The Award selection
process is entirely indifferent to the confessional persuasions, ethnic origins
or partisan allegiances of the recipients. It is sensitive only to the rarity
and quality of their accomplishments,” he said.
This is the more reason why the VP emphasized the essence of
rewarding hard work and talent, rather than sentiments and favoritism, in
public service and every area of national life, in order to build a more
advanced nation.
“Today’s awardees and their predecessors represent the
zenith of accomplishment; their exploits tell us what we are truly capable of
as a people, and the heights to which we would soar if we would set ourselves
free from the gravitational pull of parochialism and prejudice,” he stated.
Continuing, Prof. Osinbajo noted that, “If the pantheon of
Order of Merit laureates reflects a representative meritocracy, is it not
possible to apply the same standards in selecting those that we choose for
leadership at all levels?
“Democracy grants us, not only the right to freely choose
our leaders, but the opportunity to choose the best of us irrespective of any
sectional or sectarian considerations.
“If we are to truly make their standards of accomplishment a
mainstream phenomenon and our defining national trait, then we must apply the
same principles that informed their selection in recruiting those that will
represent this nation in every endeavour, whether it is in sports or the public
service.”
Congratulating the Award Laureates and their families, as
well as the Chairman and members of NNMA Governing Board and associates, the
Vice President during his speech also recognized some past NNOM laureates
present at yesterday’s event.
They included Prof. Augustine M.O. Esogbue (2006 NNOM Award
Recipient in Engineering/Technology); Prof. Oye Gureje (2008 NNOM Recipient in
Medicine); and Prof. Samuel Ohaegbulam (2012 NNOM Award Recipient in Medicine).
Also speaking, the Minister of Special Duties and
Inter-governmental Affairs, Senator George Akume, congratulated the Awards
Laureates for their overall economic, scientific and technological
contributions to the nation’s development.
In his remarks, the Chairman, Governing Board of the Awards,
Prof. Shekarau Yakubu Abu, said the Awards recipients have done exceptionally
well in their various fields of endeavour.
“The awards are in recognition of Nigerians who have made
national and global impact in their various fields. We are very proud of their
outstanding contribution to knowledge, to the development of our nation and the
world at large,” he stated.
Prof. Ekhaguere was present at the Awards dinner, while Prof. Olutoye was represented by his brother, Air Commodore Dr Olufemi Olutoye Jnr (retd.); and late Prof. Chidume was represented by his son, Mr. Okechukwu Chidume.
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