Delta state governorship candidate of Social Democratic Party (SDP), Olorogun Kenneth Kenneth was on Monday decorated with 2022 National Honours Award of Officer of the Order of the Niger by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Gbagi was accompanied on the occasion staged at the International Conference Centre, Abuja by his amiable wife, the Hon. Justice Sybil Gbagi JCA and prominent dignitaries including Emir of Lafia.
Gbagi is recognised as an accomplished Nigerian of unique character and remarkable contributions to state and nation building who has distinguished self in various fields and remarkable charities.
As next Delta governorship hopeful, Gbagi has been variously described by many as the topmost industrialist, investors, outstanding public servant, leader and philanthropist whose legacy has been a shining light to others even as former Minister of State for Education.
His OON award has been described as well deserved and a testimony to capacity to lead and transform Delta state too greater heights come next year with more recognitions to follow.
Also in attendance were other awardees and their entougage from different spheres of the nation, including Senate President, Ahmed Laman, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief Justice of Nigeria Olukayode Ariwoola, the President’s Chief of Staff, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, Service Chiefs, Inspector-General of Police, several ministers and industry chiefs.
Others were Traditional Rulers including the Emir of Lafia, Sidi Mohammad, who is the Chairman of the National Honours Awards Committee Secretary of the 2022 National Honours Awards Investiture and members of the diplomatic corps.
437 nominees were awards the 2022 national honours today in various categories.
Other recipients include serving and former governors, serving and former National Assembly members, serving and former Chief Justices of Nigeria, sports and entertainment heroes.
Others were serving and former service chiefs, traditional rulers, retired public servants, lawyers, philanthropists, businessmen, ministers and members of the academia.
GCON – Second highest national honours category
Apart from Mrs Okonjo-Iweala, the other recipients of the GCON were the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan; Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kayode Ariwoola, his predecessor; Tanko Muhammad and UN Deputy Secretary-General; Amina Mohammed.
CFR
Prominent on the list of recipients for CFR include Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; Chief of Defence Staff, Lucky Irabor; former Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, and Appeal Court President, Monica Mensem, and former Army Chief, Tukur Buratai.
Others are Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali, his predecessor, Mohammed Adamu, Emir of Lafia, Sidi Bage, and Tor Tiv, James Ayatse, amongst others.
CON
Some nominees in this category of national honours are the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Ishaq Oloyede and state governors such as Mai Mala-Buni (Yobe), Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), Simon Lalong (Plateau), Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Dave Umahi (Ebonyi) and Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna).
Others are Babagana Zulum (Borno), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives; Idris Wase, Finance minister, Zainab Ahmed and her works counterpart, Babatunde Fashola, amongst others.
OFR
Nominees in this category include the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Ignatius Kaigama, CEO of the NNPCL, Mele Kyari, Nasiru Bayero and Muiz Banire.
Others are Ishaq Bello, Aliyu El-Nafaty and Kehinde Aina, amongst others.
OON
Some nominees in this category include National Assembly members such as Alhassan Doguwa, Muktar Betara, Ndudi Elumelu and Nkiruka Onyejeocha.
Others are a former Permanent Secretary, Sunday Echono, NBA President Yakubu Maikyau, Sarki Abba and Sabiu (Tunde) Yusuf, amongst others.
MFR
In this category of the national honours awards are Sanusi Lemu, late DIGJoseph Egunike (posthumous), Haliru Nababa and Burna Boy.
Others are Simon Shango, Billy Okoye, Akwa Okon and Emeka Agbanari, amongst others.
MON
Notable in this category is 2Face Idibia, Shehu Othman, Teni the entertainer and Abubakar Maikano.
At the end, the remarkable event was described as colourful and filled with dignitaries and men of timber and caliber.
Congratulations once more to Olorogun (Barr) Kenneth Gbagi FNIM OON
To God be all the Glory!
Gbagi all the way!
We Moove!