FG denies list of national honours nominees

* Set to release authentic list 

By SUMAYYAH ADEFAKA

The Federal Government, on Monday, described the purported list of nominees for national honours being circulated by some online media organisations as fake.

Over the weekend, the media was awash with a series of names purportedly on the list of Nigerians to be conferred with national awards.

The list of nominees, which has now gone viral on the internet, has, however, generated criticisms, especially over the calibre of people nominated for awards.

The government, however, debunked the list in a statement issued by the Director of Press, Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Julie Jacobs, and stated that it would publish the authentic list at the appropriate time.

The statement read in part, “The attention of the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs has been drawn to a purported list of nominees for national honours being circulated by some online media organisations.

“While it is true that President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, will be conferring national honours on deserving Nigerians and friends of Nigeria on October 11, 2022, the authentic list of nominees is yet to be released to the public.

The Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs will publish the list at the appropriate time and medium.

“Members of the public are hereby enjoined to discountenance the list in circulation as it is an attempt by overzealous reporters whose aim is to break news even when such news is fake.”