UPDATE: Buhari’s spokesman, personal photographers, others bag national awards

Hours before the end of his tenure, the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Sunday, approved the conferment of Special National Honours Award on 339 Nigerians, including his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu.

“Shehu and Laolu Akande, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity (Office of the Vice President) were conferred with the Officer of the Order of the Niger,” a statement signed by the State House Director of Information, Abiodun Oladunjoye, read late Sunday.

The statement is titled ‘Garba Shehu, Laolu Akande, Bayo Omoboriowo, other presidential media sides bag special national honours.’

According to Oladunjoye, The Permanent Secretary, State House, Tijjani Umar, also received the National Honour of OON.

He said, “The President’s Personal Photographers for the eight years of his administration, Bayo Omoboriowo and Sunday Aghaeze bagged Member of the Order of the Federal Republic and Member of the Order of the Niger, respectively.”

Also listed for the National Honours Award for their diligent services to the nation are Tolu Ogunlesi, the Special Assistant to the President on Digital and New Media, MON; Tolani Alli, Personal Photographer to the Vice President, MFR; Adamu Sambo, NTA Correspondent and Emmanuel Anrihi, NTA Cameraman, MFR.

An official publication by the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs advised the award recipients to visit the office of the Ministry to collect their certificates and medals on Thursday, June 1, 2023.