President Muhammadu Buhari conferred NNMA, for the years 2020 and 2021 on three Nigerians, who distinguished themselves in medicine and science.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday conferred the Nigerian National Order of Merit Award, NNMA, for the years 2020 and 2021 on three Nigerians, who distinguished themselves in medicine and science.

Conferring the award on the recipients, Oluyinka Olutoye, for Medicine, 2020, the late Professor Charles Chidume, for science 2020, and Professor Godwin Ekhaguere, also for science 2021, the President said he was very proud to welcome the new laureates to the prestigious league of highly honoured citizens.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, in a statement disclosed that while speaking during conferment ceremony, the president said Nigeria’s survival and its collective future ultimately rest on the active participation of citizens in global developmental efforts, especially in science and technology.

According to him, the nation will continue to celebrate the achievements of scholars to serve as a shining example worthy of emulation by the country’s young academics and professionals.

He further charged the new laureates to endeavour at all times to serve as beacons of hope and aspiration for the younger generation of Nigerians.

The Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, George Akume, said the three intellectuals emerged winners from over 1,200 applications received by the NNOM Governing Board during the period under consideration.

In his remarks, Akume announced that each recipient of the award would receive a cash reward of ten million Naira.