It was a case of honour well deserved as the President of the Chartered Institute of Transport Administration (CIoTA) who is also the Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Doctor Bashir Jamoh, got decorated with the National Honours award of the rank of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR).
The formal investiture ceremony took place at the international Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja on Tuesday, 11th October, 2022 with a grand reception at the luxury Hilton Hotel Abuja.
It was an exciting time for the members of the institute who turned up in their numbers to celebrate their President.
Speaking at the event, Jamoh commended the national awards committee, headed by Justice Sidi Bage Muhammad, a retired justice of the Supreme Court and Emir of Lafia, for his patriotic duty by diligently going through over 5,000 submissions and coming up with the recommendations.
President Muhammadu Buhari noted that the screening and selection of the nominees for this year’s award followed established broad criteria, in accordance with the National Honours Act CAP.N43 of the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
They include but are not limited to consistent and meaningful participation in community and/or national development; rendering unsolicited, selfless and philanthropic services to humanity; outstanding sacrifice in the defence of a cause popularly adjudged to be positive, relevant and beneficial to the nation and community.
Stakeholders who spoke at Jamoh’s reception encouraged him to continue to distinguish himself in the service of the nation and humanity, saying that citizens who contribute to the nation’s development deserve to be honoured and appreciated.
Jamoh expressed his delight and excitement at the award as contained in a statement by CIoTA’s National Publicity Secretary, Mrs. Chizoba Anyika, made available to newsmen.
“Alhamdulillah. It is indeed a great honour to be decorated with the national award of the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OFR) by Mr. President @MBuhari.
“I shall continue to do my best in the service to the nation.
“Thanks to my family, colleagues, friends and maritime industry and entire transport stakeholders,” Jamoh exclaimed!
The Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, George Akume, said the national honours awards committee selected 447 awardees from 5,000 nominees submitted for consideration.
Six recipients were awarded Grand Commanders of the Order of the Niger (GCON), 55 were awarded Commanders of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR), 74 were Members of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR), and 77 were Officers of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR).
Others were 110 Officers of the Order of the Niger (OON), 55 Members of the Order of the Niger (MON), 65 Commanders of the Order of the Niger (CON), four received Federal Republic Medal – First Class (FRM I) and four received Federal Republic Medal – Second Class (FRM II).