President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday conferred the Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM )Award for several years 2020 and 2021 on 3 Nigerians who differentiated themselves in the field of medicine and science, expressing the belief that the nation’s cumulative future rests on active participation in science and innovation.

Giving the award on late Professor Charles Ejike Chidume, Science (2020 ), Dr. Oluyinka Olurotimi Olutoye, Medicine (2020 ); and Professor Godwin O. Samuel Ekhaguere, Science (2021 ), Buhari stated in Abuja that he was very proud to welcome the brand-new Laureates to the distinguished league of extremely honoured people.

Buhari’s representative, Mr Femi Adesina, revealed this in a statement on Tuesday.

The President stated Nigeria would continue to celebrate and trumpet the scholars’ accomplishments as a shining example worthy of emulation by upcoming Nigerian young men and females.

“Please endeavour, at all times, to function as beacons of hope and aspiration for the more youthful generation of Nigerians, reminding them that our survival and cumulative future as a nation eventually rests on our being active participants in international developmental efforts, specifically in science and innovation,” Buhari informed the receivers.

Buhari noted that because the Nigerian National Merit Award (NNMA) was established forty-three years ago, the addition of the 3 recipients would bring the overall number of receivers to only 79, verifying the high standards of the Award and undeniable testament of the stringent adherence to quality and the merit-driven assessment procedure for picking laureates.