The Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Zaphaniah Jisalo, has revealed reasons why more Nigerians should be conferred with the national merit award.
Jisalo opined that more Nigerians at home and abroad deserve to be conferred with merit awards.
In a statement, the ministry’s Director of Press, Anastasia Ogbonna, said the minister spoke on Thursday during a familiarisation tour of the body.
The minister, who lamented that only 79 Nigerians had bagged the award since its inception in 1979, urged the body to recognise more Nigerians, according to the Punch.
“The minister was, however, not so pleased that since 1979 the award was instituted, only 79 persons have so far been conferred with the honours.
“He added that the selection should be expanded to include politicians and even young people who have excelled in different endeavours,” it read.
