The Federal government has described the list of candidates for national honours being passed around by various internet media outlets as fraudulent.
At the weekend, a number of names that were allegedly on the list of Nigerians who will receive national awards were widely reported in the media.
The list of nominees has elicited criticism, especially regarding the caliber of persons listed for the award. The list of nominees has now gone viral on the Internet.
The government, through a statement by the Director of Press for the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Julie Jacobs, refuted the list, claiming that it would be published at the proper time and in the appropriate means.
She urged the public to ignore the list, describing it as an effort by overzealous reporters to break fake news.
The statement reads: “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.”
