In spite of the scathing criticisms that trailed the selection of some of the over 300 persons that were recently conferred with National Honours by President Goodluck Jonathan, at least four of the recognitions stood out because they went to ordinary Nigerians  who were honoured for outstanding acts of patriotism, honesty and long service to the country. These are attributes that are truly worthy of emulation by all Nigerians.
These awards were given to Pa Michael Akinkunmi, the designer of the national flag; Mr. Michael Onuh, the veteran chief steward in the presidency who has served nine presidents; Mr. Umeh Usuah, a taxi driver who returned N18 million and other items to an expatriate who forgot them in his cab; and a remarkably hard working Nigerian Police traffic warden, Corporal Solomon Dauda.
For his creative effort in giving the nation, the green-white-green flag more than five decades ago, Akinkunmi was conferred with the Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR). He was also placed on salary for life as Special Assistant to the President. Usuah, Onuh and Dauda each got the Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) award, and a house in Abuja. President Jonathan specially lauded the taxi driver, traffic warden and steward for displaying exemplary dedication to their duties.
The recognition of these persons were, indeed, a welcome addition to the prevalent practice of giving the awards to persons who have attained certain public offices (whether they are discharging their duties creditably in that office or not) and also to traditional rulers, actresses, musicians and other entertainers.
We believe that this is the shape that the national honours list should take. The awards should be given to those that deserve it, no matter their status. National honours should not be the preserve of the political class, the military, career civil servants and entertainers. It should also be used to recognise the outstanding diligence and hard work of ordinary Nigerians.
The significance of the honour to these four Nigerians is that there is dignity in labour. It shows that patriotism, diligence and honesty are important, and also have their own rewards. Over the years, the lists of Nigerians bestowed with national honours have largely not been inspiring. The antecedents of some of the awardees cannot inspire anyone to patriotism, diligence or honest labour.
This had created the impression that the awards could never be won by ordinary folks that are patriotically and diligently serving the nation, and those that had done heroic deeds. The situation had, in recent years, led to agitation for a review of the criteria for nomination for the awards by the National Honours Awards Committee (NHAC) to include recognition of the man in the street who has done something remarkable to deserve it. It is good, therefore, that the committee took note of these public sentiments and acted accordingly in the latest edition, even if it is tokenism.
Besides the review of the criteria for the awards, there is the need to streamline it and reduce the number of awardees so that only truly deserving Nigerians and our foreign friends will be so honoured, to make it more respectable. It should certainly not be an all comers affair, or a preserve of   politicians, military and career civil servants, or for anyone who attains certain public offices. This would be a great disservice to the awards.
In each year’s award, let the selection committee be guided by the ideals of patriotism and heroism in determining those to be honoured. The examples of Akinkunmi, Usuah, Onuh and Dauda are what many ordinary Nigerians would be looking forward to in future awards.
Although they are average Nigerians, they have the attributes that could help us build the type of country that our founding fathers dreamed of, and to which we all aspire. Their patriotism, quiet dignity and service to the country portray the type of Nigerians that the young ones should look up to and emulate, and not necessarily only the high and mighty in society.
There are many other Nigerians that have done heroic things but are unfortunately unrecognised and unsung. This category of Nigerians  should also be bestowed with national honours.
State governments are enjoined to search for patriots that have done exemplary deeds and reward them too. The same applies to all the local governments. If those who distinguish themselves are honoured, it will inspire others to emulate them. We congratulate Akinkunmi, Usuah, Onuh and Dauda on their well-deserved national honours/rewards and urge them to rededicate themselves to the service of the nation.

National recognition of Akinkunmi, others