Ibekimi Oriamaja Reports
President Ahmad Lawan, Nigeria’s Chief Justice, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, and his predecessor, Justice Tanko Muhammad, will receive the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON).
The World Trade Organization (WTO) Director General, Dr Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, and the United Nations Deputy Secretary General, Amina Mohammed, will also be honored on Tuesday, October 11 in Abuja.
The GCON is the highest national honor.
The list of nominees for the National Honours Award 2022 includes House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha; Head of Service, Dr. Folashade Yemi-Esan, and renowned businessman and founder/Chief Executive Officer of Azikel Refinery, Dr Eruani Azibapu (CFR).
Some Justices of the Supreme Court, traditional rulers, renowned bankers, and other distinguished Nigerians will also be conferred with CFR.
Mr. Jim Ovia, Chairman of Zenith Bank PLC, Mr. Tony Elumelu, Chairman of United Bank of Africa PLC, and Mr. Herbert Wigwe, CEO and Group Managing Director of Access Bank PLC are all on the list.
Sir (Dr) Kessington Adebukinola Adebutu, former Inspector General of Police, Dr. Solomon Arase, the chairman of the Body of Benchers, Chief Oluwole Olanipekun (SAN), and Mallam Abba Kyari, the late Chief of Staff to the President, are also to be conferred with the CFR.
13 Governors have been named Commanders of the Order of the Niger (CON). Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, Ondo State’s Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), Kebbi State’s Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, Ebonyi State’s David Umahi, Enugu State’s Lawrence Ugwuanyi, Plateau State’s Simon Lalong, Cross River State’s Ben Ayade, Taraba State’s Dickson Darius Ishiaku, and Kaduna State
Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, Babagana Zulum of Borno State, and Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State are among the others. Former Lagos State governor and Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN), and Information Minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, will also be conferred with the CON.
According to the letter conveying the national award to Dr. Eruani, President Buhari approved the honor to be bestowed on him in recognition of his significant contributions to the nation’s economic growth and development.
Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs Minister George Akume signed the notice of conferment.
Dr. Eruani, 48, the Group President of the Azikel Group conglomerate, pioneered the establishment of in-country petroleum refining by establishing Nigeria’s first private Hydroskimming Refinery.
Azikel Refinery, with a capacity of 25,000 barrels per day, realizes President Buhari’s Modular Refinery Regime, which was announced in 2015.
His business interests range from dredging and sand filling to power, aviation, oil and gas, and technology.
