President Tinubu approves 959 national honours and Police funding reforms

‎President Bola Tinubu on Thursday approved the conferment of 959 national honours and endorsed key reforms to enhance funding for the Nigeria Police Force during meetings held at the State House, Abuja.
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‎The approvals followed marathon sessions of the National Council of State and the Nigeria Police Council, where President Tinubu also endorsed reforms to transform the Nigerian Police Trust Fund into a permanent agency.
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‎The fund, established in 2019, was initially limited by a six-year sunset clause and constrained funding, impeding sustainable police reform.
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‎Dr. Emanso Umobong, Permanent Secretary of the Cabinet Affairs Office, disclosed that the National Honours Award Committee, chaired by Justice Sidi Bage and reconstituted in August 2021, screened over 5,000 applications. Out of these, 824 were recommended for the 2024/2025 National Honours, alongside 135 special awardees, making a total of 959 honourees.
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‎The honourees include both Nigerians and foreign nationals who have distinguished themselves in public service and humanity. Notable recipients honoured in the past year include Bill Gates for contributions to public health, journalist Uncle Sam Pemu, and national sports teams like the Super Falcons and D’Tigress. Also recognised posthumously were the Ogoni Nine and Ogoni Four for environmental activism, and Professor Mahmood Yakubu for his service as the outgoing INEC Chairman.
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‎Minister of Police Affairs, Ibrahim Geidam, stressed that the Police Council ratified proposals to repeal and re-enact the Police Trust Fund Establishment Act to remove its sunset clause and increase its allocation from 0.5% to 1% of the Federation Account. These changes aim to secure sustainable funding for police training, welfare, and technology upgrades.
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‎The Attorney-General has been tasked to draft an executive bill incorporating the Council’s resolutions for submission to the National Assembly.
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