National Honours Award Nominees List Fake – FG; Nigerians Say FG Is Lying

By Akinwale Kasali

The Federal Government has debunked the list of National Award Nominees that  has been viral for days.

The FG described the purported list of nominees for deserving national honours as fake, and never emanated from the Government.

Over the weekend, the conventional and social media were awash with a list of names on the list of Nigerians to be conferred with the national awards.

But not a few Nigerians say the Federal Government’s denial of the list of nominees is an after thought.

The list had generated criticisms, especially over the caliber of people nominated for awards.

But in a statement signed by the Director Press, Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Julie Jacobs, the Federal Government debunked the list saying it will publish the authentic list at the appropriate time and medium.

Jacobs advised members of the public to disregard the list as it is an attempt by overzealous reporters whose aim is to break news even when such news is fake.

The statement reads: “The attention of the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs has been drawn to a purported list of nominees for National Honours being circulated by some online media organisations.

“While it is true that President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, will be conferring National Honours on deserving Nigerians and friends of Nigeria on 11th October, 2022, the authentic list of nominees is yet to be released to the public. The Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs will publish the list at the appropriate time and medium.

“Members of the public are hereby enjoined to discountenance the list in circulation as it is an attempt by overzealous reporters whose aim is to break news even when such news is fake.”

However, a number of Nigerians say the Federal Government is denying the list because of the strong criticisms against some of the nominees and the absence of the names of some deserving people.