50 individuals to get Kwara merit awards in maiden edition
By Mosunmola Ayobami, Ilorin
At least 50 elder statesmen, women, philanthropists, and public intellectuals across all divides have been penned down for Kwara State’s Lifetime Achievement and Posthumous Merit Awards.
The awards, according to the state government is a “token of its appreciation” of their contributions to the growth and development of the state.
The awards come under 25 categories with each nominee picked on the merits of their strides or contributions in their fields,
Commissioner for Communications, Abubakar Buhari disclosed this at a news briefing in Ilorin ahead of the ceremony taking place on Friday, December 23.
“This award is a symbolic acknowledgment for all the awardees that the state truly appreciates them for what they have done or continue to do for their communities, their feats and exemplary achievements in their career paths, and their contributions to the growth of this state and national development. It is a token of appreciation from the state government,” Buhari said.
“There are 25 categories in this Maiden edition of the Kwara State Merit Award 2022. These include Lifetime Achievements Award; posthumous achievement award; Most Outstanding Kwara State Indigene in the World; Friends of the State: Most Outstanding Media House; Most Outstanding Online Media Personality; Most Impactful MDA of the Year; Overall Best Student in Kwara State Institution; Best Student of Kwara State Origin in Nigeria; Best Political Appointee; Outstanding Business Owner in Kwara State.
“Others are Outstanding Healthcare Worker of the Year; Outstanding Teacher of the Year; Outstanding Contributions in support of security operations; Most Tax Compliant Individual in Kwara State; Most Tax Compliant Organisation in Kwara State; Most Outstanding Athlete from Kwara State; Most Outstanding Para Athlete from Kwara State; Most Outstanding Contributions to Legislature; Most Outstanding Contributions to Judiciary; and Citizens Display of Excellence in Community Development; Most Outstanding Farmer; Appreciation and Special Recognition; amongst others.
“Nominations for these awards were made by different subcommittees based on criteria relevant to each. There are at least three distinguished nominees for each of the categories except the Lifetime Achievements and Posthumous Awards. For the Lifetime Achievements Award, we have 25 distinguished personalities who have done so much to earn their stripes and are accordingly being honoured by the Government of Kwara State. There are also 20 great personalities who were giants in their own rights during their lifetime and are to be honoured even in death.”
