Reps pass bill for establishment of National Honours Award commission

The House of Representatives on Wednesday passed for second reading a bill to establish the Nigerian National Honours and Merit Award Commission.

The bill, which seeks to regulate matters related to national honours and merit awards, was sponsored by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and Rep. Babajimi Benson.

Titled “A Bill for an Act to Repeal the National Honours Act, Cap. N43 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and the Nigerian National Merit Award Act, Cap. N122 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and to Enact the Nigerian National Honours and Merit Award Commission,” the bill aims to provide for the establishment of a commission that will oversee national honours and merit awards in Nigeria and related matters (HB.05).

According to Rep. Babajimi Benson, the objectives of the bill include repealing the Nigerian National Honours Act and the Nigerian National Merit Award Act in order to create a single commission that will merge the functions of the respective governing boards and regulate matters pertaining to national honours and merit awards.

“The highlights of the bill are as follows: Section 1 establishes a commission known as the Nigerian National Honours and Merit Award Commission; Section 2 creates a governing board with membership that reflects the federal character of the country; Section 5 prescribes the functions of the commission; and Section 7 provides for nomination and disqualification.

The bill, specifically in subsection 3 of Section 7, allows for a person to lose and be divested of an honour or award previously conferred upon them if they fall under the disqualified categories outlined in this proposed bill.

Section 22 serves as the repeal section, while Section 24 prescribes the offences associated with violations of the law.

The lawmaker further explained that under the Nigerian National Honours Act, the primary objective of the national honours is to recognise individuals in society who have made immense contributions to national development, serving as incentives for further contributions and encouraging others to engage in nation-building.

He added that this initiative signifies the leadership’s message to citizens that there is no substitute for hard work, honesty, integrity, and excellence.

According to him, ‘A national honour is the highest accolade a citizen can receive from their country for service to the nation. Conversely, under Section 1, subsection 1 of the Nigerian National Merit Award Act, the merit award is to be given to deserving citizens of Nigeria for intellectual and academic achievements that contribute to national efforts in science, technology, medicine, the humanities, arts and culture, and any other field of human endeavour.’

‘From the provisions of both existing laws, their objectives are to recognise and reward excellence in various forms. Both the Nigerian National Honours Act and the Merit Award Act established governing boards with staff who are entitled to salaries, allowances, and other benefits.'”

“A careful scrutiny of both Acts reveals that there is no function so heavy and cumbersome regarding the nomination of individuals for national honours and merit awards that one governing board cannot handle, especially at a time when all stakeholders are in agreement with the proposal to merge government bodies that perform similar functions. This consolidation aims to reduce the cost of governance, thereby making more resources available to deliver the dividends of democracy to the citizens. It also appears that both Acts have become obsolete.

While the Nigerian National Honours Act was enacted in 1964, the Merit Awards Act was established in 1992. Therefore, it is not surprising that certain provisions necessary to give credibility to the National Honours and National Merit Award were not considered.

For instance, neither Act contemplates a scenario in which honours and merit awards are erroneously conferred upon individuals of questionable character or those whose character has become questionable over time.

After passing the bill, the House referred it to its Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs for further legitimate action.”

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