The list of nominees for national honours being circulated by some media organisations is fake, according to the Federal Government.
The federal government said that “the list in circulation as it is is an attempt by overzealous reporters whose aim is to break news even when such news is fake.”
Among the nominees in the list in circulation are President Muhammadu Buhari’s late Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, and 436 others. It also include Presidential Spokesperson, Femi Adesina, Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Ishaq Oloyede, and Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
The investiture is billed to hold on 11 October at the State House in Abuja.
However, Director of Press, Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Julie Jacobs, said in a statement that even though it is true that President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, will be conferring National Honours on deserving Nigerians and friends of Nigeria, but that the authentic list of nominees is yet to be released to the public.
According to the statement: “The attention of the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs has been drawn to a purported list of nominees for National Honours being circulated by some online media organisations.
“While it is true that President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, will be conferring National Honours on deserving Nigerians and friends of Nigeria on 11th October, 2022, the authentic list of nominees is yet to be released to the public.
“The Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs will publish the list at the appropriate time and medium.
“Members of the public are hereby enjoined to discountenance the list in circulation as it is an attempt by overzealous reporters whose aim is to break news even when such news is fake.”