The fuse about Nigerian National Merit Award for 2012
By Emmanuel Udom
The Nigerian National Merit Award is indeed a big deal in our country. It is always time for celebrations, recognitions, praises, dining and winning. It is normal, legitimate and therefore welcome.
There is nothing basically wrong for a country like Nigeria, widely acclaimed as the giant of Africa, to take a pause and reward those who have contributed one way or the other to the progress, peace, unity and success of the country.
Humanities, medicine, science and technology are some of the core areas the NNMA assessors must look at to see whether the 100 plus nominees truly deserve the award or not this year.
But, as usual, when I studied the NNMA lists for 2012, I got the feeling that the award is a cash and carry one. I stand to be corrected or even lambasted. I mean well for Nigeria, my beloved country.
I get this feeling that it is only powerful, wealthy, famous and well connected Nigerians that are always recognized and appreciated by successive government with national awards, without trying to know how they got to their present grace level.
Mike Adenuga is a wealthy, powerful, successful and well connected Nigerian by all standards. His chains of business concerns have reduced the unemployment tally and contributed to the economic and other developments in Nigeria.
Apart from Adenuga, who is going to be honored with Grand Commander of the Federal Republic there are equally others, who literarily rose from grass all the way to their present grace. They too deserve the honor.
But, I feel, in future the NNMA assessors should also think about ordinary Nigerians on our streets, who have done something positively extraordinary, even at our slums and community levels to unite and bring peace to the country. I am very sure some of us could name these Nigerians.
Yes, there are wealthy Nigerians with chains of businesses within and outside the country. These persons employ people, oxygenate the economy, pay their taxes, produce goods and services and generally assist the government in the provision of social amenities.
But, we should look back and see how some of these persons started out in life. Some were born into greatness, others worked real hard and honestly to achieve greatness, while in the case of Nigeria, some others cut corners and manipulated the system to achieve success.
For every wealthy person in Nigeria, there are a thousand and one Mother Theresa or Nelson Mandela in the country doing great things in simple ways. These persons too must be recognized, rewarded and encouraged by the government at the center.
Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, in my opinion is a go slow performing president. Take it, leave it, or blast me. You are very free to hold contrary views. It is my stand.
As I always say, I have not met Jonathan one on one. But, as a Nigerian, I will continue to write in order to create peace, progress and unity in the country, even though in some of my write ups, I do hit real hard on the country. It is still my beloved country in whom I am well pleased.
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