Controversies regarding the national honours selection process in Nigeria continue to arise, particularly concerning the entertainment industry.
The entertainment sector appears to be the most controversial regarding the selection of honorees, especially with the most recent list released on May 28, 2023, by the immediate past administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The National Honours Act No.5 of 1964, established to honour Nigerians and friends of the country who have rendered significant services to the benefit of Nigeria, provides the legal foundation for the National Honours.
The nominee must have completed an activity that makes Nigeria proud and have demonstrated selfless service by inventing something or performing an important task, as well as displaying loyalty and patriotism to the nation to be chosen, according to the National Honours Act.
Given these facts, the public is responsible for evaluating the nomination process for the awards to determine how deserving the awardees are.
Nigerians have expressed their dissatisfaction with some of the individuals and celebrities awarded the honor during former presidents Goodluck Jonathan’s and Muhammadu Buhari’s administrations.
In 2014, former President Goodluck Jonathan awarded actress Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde (MFR), Kanayo O. Kanayo (MFR), Genevieve Nnaji (MFR), Osita Iheme (MFR), Pete Edochie (MON), among others.
In 2022, during the Buhari administration, singer Teni was awarded a Member of the Order of the Niger, MON, while Innocent Idibia, aka 2Baba, received a Member of the Order of the Niger, MON.
Singer Damini Ogulu popularly known as Burna Boy, was honoured with a Member of the Order of the Federal Republic, MFR, while Wasiu Ayinde, also known as K1 de Ultimate, was awarded the Member of the Order of the Niger, MON, among the other 449 Nigerians.
In a recent development, former President Muhammadu Buhari, through the Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, listed singer Davido, comedian AY, actor Kunle Afolayan, Super Eagles and Napoli striker Victor Osimhen and other celebrities among 337 Nigerians to be conferred with national honours on May 28, 2023.
Seun Kuti, who is the youngest son of the Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo Kuti, criticised the national honours list on his Instagram page on Monday, stating: “Next 31/2 years now we start the same dance again. What do you stand for?
“Let me reiterate, the national award is not by public opinion polls. It’s by the presidential committee, then the president will accept the nomination of certain people. In as much as it’s a national honour, it’s a presidential appointment.
“Half of the people criticising this government as the worst thing ever deh go collect awards for Abuja from the same government? No one will reject it on principle? Or is Buhari now legit?”
Dr Sam Amadi, Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts, ASSPT, responded to Kuti’s statements in an interview with Media Talk Africa, saying many individuals considered entertainment to be less dignified than politics or other professions.
“Entertainers on such lists will likely attract controversy because of the nature of their craft and their personality.
“Many people consider entertainment not as dignified as politics or other professions. So this mindset creates controversy or public uproar whenever entertainers are listed for such honour.
“But I think this is a wrong impression. Entertainment is a serious business and craft, and so entertainers should be held in high esteem like other accomplished persons,” he concluded.
He added that national impact should be used as the benchmark for selecting honour recipients.
“A national honour is not a measure of how much money you have made or how popular you are. It should measure the impact you have made in society.
“You must have done something remarkable, not just because you have made money or achieved personal success. It is about promoting public goods in different ways, especially in a manner that promotes the image and glory of the country.”
Public interest commentator, Remi Adebayo, stated that entertainers exert tremendous influence on their listeners and as such, those amongst them with messages promoting peace, unity and patriotism must be accorded the necessary recognition they deserve.
“You can bet that most entertainers influence society more than politicians, clerics, or even other segments of Nigerian society.
“No doubt, there are some among them whose image and identity run contrary to the ideals of society.
“Just like every other industry, the National Merit Awards, as the name implies, must have merit at its benchmark,” he said.
Esosa Douglas Osemwengie, famous music producer, and known as Sossick, responded to the development saying, “We are entertainers but governed by our individual principles.”
“So, the only common ground is the entertainment that we all share. If, by their individual principles, they find it right to accept any of the awards, then it is entirely up to them.
“So, we leave it to the conscience of the recipients. The issue is just with those doing the awarding, the shared honour. I will leave it to their individual moral codes or principles.
“For me, that’s not the most important thing in the country right now. I will suggest that the FG should attend to the most serious issues,” he added.
