The FG disqualifies all 32 nominated candidates for the 2022 Merit Award.

THE 2022 edition of the Nigerian National Order of Merit, NNOM, has no winner, according to the organizers, the Nigerian National Merit Award, who stated that all 32 candidates nominated for the award did not qualify.

Prof. Shakarau Yakubu Aku, Chairman of the Nigerian National Merit Award Governing Board, revealed this at a news conference in Abuja on Monday, explaining that the NNMA received 32 nominations/applications for the award.

According to him, four candidates were in Science, nine in Medicine, five in Engineering Technology, and fourteen in Humanities.

“The NNMA received 32 nominations/applications for the NNOM Award this year, with four in the field of science, nine in medicine, five in engineering technology, and fourteen in the humanities.”

“The nominations went through the standard assessment process, but none were adjourned to have merited the Nigerian National Order of Merit, NNOM Award for this year 2022 after going through the rigorous process of assessment exercise.” “As a result, no winner emerged from this year’s exercise,” he explained.

The Nigerian National Merit Award, NNMA, was established by ACT No. 53 of 1979 and amended by Act No. 96 of 1992, now LFN 122 of 2004.

The Nigerian National Order of Merit, NNOM, is a separate Order of Dignity in the Highest Honors category in Science, Medicine, Engineering/Technology, and Humanities, including Arts and Culture.

The NNMA is tasked with selecting all intellectual and creative contributions in all fields of human endeavor and rewarding exceptional contributions with the NNOM.

“Each year, the NNMA solicits nominations for the NNOM Award in the four fields of Engineering/Technology, Medicine, Humanities (including Arts and Culture), and Sciences.”

“The nominations go to specialized Committees, which may use external assessors if necessary,” Prof. Aku explained, “before their recommendations are considered by a committee of Chairmen, and then the Governing Board, and Mr. President gives his approval.”

“Annually, the Governing Board of the NNMA organizes the Annual Forum of Laureates of the Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM),” Aku said, adding that another activity of the NNMA is the hosting of the Annual Forum of Laureates of the NNOM.

“The Forum is organized to deliberate on salient issues of national interest, providing the body of Laureates with an opportunity to channel views in policymaking and thus contribute to national discourse,” he said.

“It is also to promote networking opportunities between the government, industries, and the private sector; to enable other Nigerian intellectuals, Academia, and Research Organizations, both in Nigeria and in the Diaspora, to share ideas and summarize the ideas generated in each Forum in its Communiqué and Proceedings, and to help foster national development.”

“This year’s Forum, the 13th Forum, is scheduled to take place from Tuesday, December 6th, to Wednesday, December 7th, 2022, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily at the Merit House, Complex, Maitama, Abuja.”

“The President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, is expected to declare the Forum open.”

The 13th Forum’s theme is “Building Nigeria Through National Integration.”

Professor Babagana Zulum, the Executive Governor of Borno State, will be the Keynote Speaker at the 13th Forum. Following that, distinguished Nigerian scholars, government functionaries, and professionals will deliver papers on various aspects of the theme. The following are the sub-themes: Dimensions for National, Health Insurance, Patriotism and Nation Building, and Economic Development Knowledge System

“The theme and sub-themes were carefully chosen to reflect the needs of the nation while also relating to the ongoing issues of Nigeria’s current situation.” May I also take this opportunity to invite you to the upcoming Forum, as various national issues fall squarely within our common areas of concern on various aspects of the Forum’s theme.

“The Governing Board also uses this medium to express its gratitude to Prof. Hassan Mohammed and the Forum Planning Committee for their tireless efforts in ensuring the success of this year’s Forum.”

“Another event that is extremely important to the NNMA and the NNOM Laureates is the NNMA’s Award Winners’ Lecture, which Laureates are required to deliver at least once in their lives.”

A Laureate who received the NNOM Award in Humanities in 2017 will deliver the 2022 Second Award Winners’ Lecture.

“Professor Niyi Osundare, NNOM will deliver the Award Winners’ Lecture on Wednesday, December 7, 2022, titled “Poetry and the Human Voice.”