Former President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday called for the withdrawal of national honours from people with questionable character.
He said awards should be given to worthy citizens and looters and crooks should be stripped of their honour.
Jonathan called for a law that would allow the Federal Government to withdraw national honours from people found wanting.
Speaking at the event where he was conferred with Grand Commander Ebonyi Hall of Fame (GCEHF) in Abakaliki, Jonathan said, “Talking about awards, I want to say, probably, when we are making laws, at the federal level, there should be an amendment empowering the president or the governors to strike off such honours.”
According to Jonathan, the honour conferred on him would strengthen the bond between Bayelsa and Ebonyi.
The event saw 300 prominent Nigerians across the country honoured.
Among those honoured at the grand finale held Thursday night at the Christian Ecumenical Centre, Abakaliki, was the Late Head of State, General Sani Abacha.
He was honoured posthumously as GCEHF for being the instrument for Ebonyi State creation in October 1996.
Other honourees included the Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Ibrahim Gambari; Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor; two former Governors of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi and Ayodele Fayose as well as former Governor of Abia State, Chief Theodore Orji.
Governor Umahi also honoured his predecessors, Chief Martin Elechi and Senator Sam Egwu as well as the first Military Administrator of the State, Navy Commander Walter Feghabor, among others.
President Muhammadu Buhari was the special guest of honour and congratulated Umahi on his achievements in the state.
Buhari, who was represented at the event by his Chief of Staff, Ibrahim Gambari, said the policies of the Ebonyi State Governor are in tandem with three core pillars of his principal’s administration: Economy, Security and anti-corruption.
He further stated that Umahi had made his state one of the largest producers of rice in the country.
