Outgoing President, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Sunday approved the conferment of the 2023 national awards on several Nigerians in various categories, The PUNCH reports.
The awards list, which had 340 Nigerians and was signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Ibiene Roberts, had Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare; former Nigeria Football Federation president, Amaju Pinnick and Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen.
Dare was conferred with the prestigious Commander of the Order of the Niger award, while the Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic was bestowed on Pinnick.
Osimhen received the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic.
Ibrahim Gusau, current NFF president, congratulated his immediate predecessor Pinnick on his award.
He stated, “I am very happy to celebrate a goal-getter, an achiever, an accomplished administrator and an eminent world citizen, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick on this award. He is quite deserving but I must thank President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR for recognising the hard work and diligence of Mr. Pinnick in Nigeria, Africa and world football.
“On behalf of the Board, Management and Staff of the NFF, I congratulate Mr. Pinnick and I believe this prestigious National Award will serve as an impetus for him to do even more for Nigeria, African and world football.”
NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi also celebrated Dare following the award.
“The National Award of CON conferred on Chief Sunday Dare by Mr. President goes a long way to underscore the character, diligence, competence and drive that the man brought to the job. Chief Dare worked assiduously to reposition Nigeria sports generally and posterity will be kind to him.
“He has been a class act. We celebrate him for the award and we pray that he will continue to soar even higher in his future endeavours.”
Sanusi also congratulated Osimhen, whose name appeared on number 23 of those conferred with the MFR honour.
“The football industry has been given ample recognition this time and we commend our father, President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR for this. The award to Osimhen means that even as a football player, you can be honoured by your country for exceptional service and also for the way you represent the country abroad.
“We are proud of Osimhen and what he has done and continues to do with Napoli SC in Italy and for the Super Eagles.”
