President Jonathan Honours Professor Osundare

L-R; President Goodluck Jonathan decorating Professor Niyi Osundare, the Awardee during the 2014 Nigerian National Order of Merit Award Investiture at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday. Photo: Akin Ladokun.

President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday decorated Prof. Niyi Osundare as the 71st member of the body of the Nigerian National Order of Merit laureates.

At a brief ceremony in the Council Chamber of the State House, Abuja, Jonathan noted that Osundare’s selection among 22 nominees for the 2014 Nigerian National Order of Merit Award (NNMA) has met Nigerians’ expectation.

Osundare, who is an Ekiti State-born former Head of Department of English, University of Ibadan, is said to have carved his name in gold in the hearts of people in Nigeria and across the globe through his outstanding and service to humanity in the field of humanities.

The poet, dramatist and an essayist laureate, who has won several major honours and awards abroad, is a New Orleans University, United States-based scholar and writer.
Jonathan promised that his administration will continue to promote excellence on merit towards enhancing rapid development and nationhood.

He said: “Today’s occasion of the conferment of the 2014 Nigerian National Order of Merit Award is in celebration of the brilliance, hardwork and dedication of Prof. Niyi Osundare. The Nigerian National Order of Merit Award is the highest and the most prestigious honour this nation bestows on its citizens at home and in diaspora for intellectual and academic contributions of national and international significance.”

“It is encouraging to note that since its establishment 35 years ago, the integrity of this esteem award has been preserved through a rigorous and painstaking assessment exercise in the areas of science, engineering and technology, medicine, humanity and other fields of human endeavors. The award standard has never fallen below expectation.”

“I have no doubt that Prof. Niyi Osundare, our awardee this year, meets our nation’s expectation and like others who have received this prestigious award and hold high the banner of creativity and intellectual development, there is no doubt also that the knowledge, expertise and contributions of today’s recipient will be of immense benefit to our overall development agenda, in particular, the successful implementation of this administration’s transformation efforts.”

“Of course, listening to the chairman’s speech and the citation, we can say that we are very very proud of Niyi Osundare.

“Prof. Osundare, you are today admitted into this very admirable, respected and distinguished class of Nigerians as its 71st member of the body of the Nigerian National Order of Merit laureates. Congratulations.”