Ayodeji Makun, the comedian and actor better known as AY, says he cannot reject a national honour awarded to him by former president, Muhammadu Buhari in recognition of his contributions to nation-building.
This was his reply to those “shaming” him for accepting a national honour by Buhari whose tenure as president expired yesterday.
Barely 24 hours before the expiration of his two four-year tenure, former President Buhari released a list of nominees for the “2023 special national honours”.
The list contained the names of 339 Nigerians nominated for various categories of national honours, including the Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic, GCFR; Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic, CFR; Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic, OFR, and
Member of the Order of the Federal Republic, MFR.
Others are Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger, GCON; Commander of the Order of the Niger, CON; Officer of the Order of the Niger, OON; Member of the Order of the Niger, MON.
AY was one of the recipients of the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic, MFR, award.
The post he made on his social media pages in reaction to the award reads partly: “I am indeed happy to be listed amongst individuals adding value to the country in all spheres of human endeavour. Not everyone gets to enjoy that special grace that brings me nothing short of consistent favour against all odds. At this point permit me to reintroduce myself, I am Dr Richard Ayodeji Makun (MFR).”
A few hours after celebrating the award, the comedian made another post in response to Nigerians who criticised him for accepting the national honour.
He wrote: “Those of you shaming or asking me to reject ‘A National Honour’ are clearly missing a vital point. Our country is bigger and more important than any president or political party awarding it.
“A national honour is the highest recognition anyone can get for his or her contributions to nation building. So my allegiance is to a country where I have contributed my own quota, and I am more than happy to be rewarded by the same nation.”
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