attempt to compromise the integrity of the 34-year-old
Nigerian National Merit Award (NNMA).
Jonathan gave the warning in Abuja at the onset of a lecture
series organised by the NNMA board, as part of the activities
lined up to mark the 2013 National Merit Awards.
The president, who was represented by Ms. Olajumoke
Akinjide, the FCT Minister of State, said that the annual
awards must be given only to deserving awardees.
He stressed that the awardees should be people who had
distinguished themselves in their various fields of endeavours.
"I congratulate the board of NNMA for their ability to
organise this event in the last 34 years.
"For us to successfully implement our Transformation
Agenda, we must imbibe the spirit of merit. NNMA
represents excellence.
"It must never be compromised; it should only be given to
deserving awardees,'' he said
Prof. Syvester Adegoke, a member of the board, said that the
board chose the theme: "The ICT Revolution as a Platform for
National Transformation" to create public awareness on the
myriad benefits of ICT in today's world.
Adegoke also spoke on the annual forum of the NNMA
laureates.
He said that the forum would harness the collective wisdom of
the laureates, the academics and other researchers to proffer
solutions to important national problems.
"It is my sincere hope that all the ideas generated during the
sessions will help to mould the youth and overtime, assist the
nation to more rapidly achieve the goals of the transformation
agenda.
"This will also help to propel Nigeria to greater heights,
especially in the vital area of technology development,'' he
added.
Adegoke said that the draft copy of the recommendations of
the seminar would be formally presented to President
Jonathan along with the proceedings of the 5th Forum on the
2012 document.
The NNMA on Nov. 21 approved the conferment of the 2013
awards on three Nigerian academics.
The recipients are: Prof. Seth Ajayi, Prof. Francis Irele and
Prof. Hillary Inyang.
Via: NAN
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