New National Merit Award Chair to step up targets, establish endowment fund

                                                                                                                                   Nigerian National Merit Award Report

The new Chairman of the Governing Board of the Nigerian National Merit Award, Franics S. Idachaba( Professor)  has promised that his board will ensure that the mission, goals and objectives of the NNMA including statement of vision, strategy and operational objectives are given top priority during their tenure.

Francis Idachaba disclosed this at the inauguration of the constituted eight-man Governing Board of the Nigerian National Merit recently in Abuja by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim.

He also disclosed that among other things, the board will consider and re-advocate a major push in Public-Private Partnerships for the establishment of a substantial NNMA Endowment Fund towards assuring adequate and stable funding for the NNMA programmes. He added that the motive will enable the office to overcome its present challenges from annual budgetary cycles as an enduring legacy bequeathed by the present Administration to posterity. He inferred that it will stimulate and promote academic excellence and outstanding intellectual achievements in Nigeria in the long term.

Speaking further, the new Chairman stated that the Board will consider and play major advocacy roles on behalf of the NNMA among governments at all levels, universities, research institutions and centers, the academic and intellectual community, media and the general public for a widely improved public understanding of the NNMA as a unique entity from the National Honours Award.

He thanked the Federal Government for the confidence reposed in them in appointing them to serve in the Governing Board of the NNMA. He also announced the forfeiture of his sitting allowance throughout the duration of his tenure as Chairman of the Board.

Earlier in his remarks, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim informed the NNMA Governing Board that the government will give to it all the support it needs to effectively discharge their statutorily responsibilities. Government, he said will also continue to support the NNMA to make it attractive and ensure its global competiveness. He added that in that regard the President in 2012 increased the cash prize of the Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM) Award from five million naira to ten million naira.

Anyim Pius Anyim urged the Chairman and Board Members to continue with the good works of their predecessors by adhering to due diligence and unwavering commitment to the principles of academic excellence which has earned the NNMA a place of pride among national and global organizations of similar stature.

Other members of the Board inaugurated include: Ir. Paul B. Onaji (Prof), Laz Ekwueme (Prof), Garba U. Goje(Prof), John Enaohwo (Prof), Grace T. Olutunla (Prof), Andrew J. Nok (Prof) and Abiodun Oyemade representing the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.