Lagos — Today the series continues with a focus on the distinctive features of the Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM) in relation to what I choose to call the primary (or general) National Honours, which I described last week.

In doing this, the activities of the Nigerian National Merit Award (NNMA), which is the agency that oversees the award of the NNOM will directly come into focus. The NNMA is a parastatal of the Federal Government of Nigeria established in 1979 under Decree No. 53, and later amended in 1992 by Act No. 96. The NNMA is under the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) but separately located at the Merit House along the Aguyi Ironsi way, Maitama District, Abuja.

The NNMA was primarily established to conduct the award of the NNOM for the promotion of intellectual, academic and professional excellence amongst Nigerians. And by doing so, it is required to 'accord proper and due recognition for outstanding intellectual and academic attainments as well as contribution to the growth and development of the nation'. Specifically, it is meant to recognize and reward intellectual achievements in Science, Engineering/Technology, Medicine, Humanities, Arts and Culture as well as any other fields of human endeavour. The Merit Award was 'specifically designed to encourage Nigerians to be devoted to the search for solutions to the nation's problems in their various disciplines' and to encourage them 'to concentrate their intellectual energies in academic work, which is Nigerian in content, universal in distinction and beneficial to the Nigerian society in particular, and to humanity in general'. And as a result of this, the NNOM 'is largely insulated from political interference in order to ensure that it retains its enviable position as the highest national award for intellectual and academic excellence' (Ibid).

I guess some readers would like to know how the NNMA conducts its operations as well as the meritocratic criteria it uses to select the recipients of NNOM. Some other readers would however like to know how many Nigerians have gotten the award and across which disciplines. Yet, some other politically minded readers may want to know what type of surprises the awardees list has so far, or whether the selection criteria weigh heavily in favour of the politically powerful academics than the less powerful ones. They may want to know specifically for example if there has been any relationship between recipients' recognition (ie intellectual recognition) and their being former vice-chancellors or other political appointees such as ministers, commissioners etc. Seen from another angle, this brings in the question as to what percentage of awardees has been politically rewarded as ministers particularly in their relevant fields to make a difference. These are some of the questions to be addressed here and in subsequent installment.

The NNMA conducts its operations through four main structures in the execution of its mandate. At the apex of this structure is the Governing Board, which is statutorily made up of eight eminent Nigerians appointed by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The major functions of the Board are to oversee the process of selecting and announcing the names of deserving Nigerians for the award of NNOM annually, which the President confers on them in an investiture ceremony in December of each year; to institute measures to promote intellectual and academic excellence amongst Nigerians and in the pursuit of this purpose to liaise with academic, professional and research institutions in Nigeria; to manage the Nigerian National Merit Endowment Fund; and to do such other things which in the opinion of the Board are necessary to ensure the effective performance of its functions. So far, the Governing Board has been chaired by five eminent Nigerians namely Alhaji. (Dr.) A. L. Ciroma (1984-1986); Prof. Akin Mabogunje; Prof. Umaru Shehu; Prof. Anya O. Anya and Prof. O. S. Adegoke.

The second important structure of the NNMA is the Committee of Chairmen of Specialized Committees in the broad areas of Science, Engineering/Technology, Medicine, and Humanities (including Arts, Culture and other fields of human endeavour).

The third is the Committee of Assessors composed of serving and retired senior professors as well as other distinguished Nigerians, whose identities are usually kept secret. The fourth organ is the NNMA Secretariat, which oversees the daily operations of NNMA. The Secretariat is headed by a Secretary who is the Chief Executive and Accounting Officer of the NNMA and responsible to the Board through its Chairman.

The selection of potential awardees each year is a step-wise process that tries to promote the integrity of the entire process by insulating it from possible political interference. The process starts with the call for nominations openly done through the print and electronic media. This is followed by, the receiving of nominations and their collation by the Secretariat. The next stage is the screening of nominations and their eventual assessment and consideration by respective Specialized Committees of Assessors. The recommendations of the assessors are thereafter, considered by the Committee of Chairmen of Specialized Committees which in turn makes its recommendations to the Governing Board for final selection and announcement.

Nominations are usually made on prescribed form and format with sponsors providing brief information about themselves. All submissions, which should be in triplicate, are addressed to the Secretary, Governing Board. The closing date for making submissions each year is usually 30th March. There are four meritocratic criteria that are used in the selection of NNOM Laureates and these are: (a) contemporary works, which are innovative, creative, essentially Nigerian in content and of national and international distinction; (b) works that are of benefit to the Nigerian Society in particular and humanity in general; (c) works that constitute a specific and major breakthrough in any field or alternatively those that are cumulative works of notable achievements; and (d) the application of the criterion of distinct merit and upright morality. These are the expectations that have to be fulfilled by any applicant in order to be a winner of the NNOM. What does the award list look like and what are its surprises so far? The last installment next week (by God's special grace) would continue from here.

Congratulatory Notes to Titilope Oladiran & Olabunmi Sobodu For the family of Prof. & Mrs. M. T. Oladiran (from Oyo State and here with us in UB), and that of Adeboye Sobodu (from Ogun State), Saturday August 11 2007 would continue to remain a very special day in their lives. On that day, their children Titilope Oladiran and Olubunmi Sobodu traditionally got married in a blended ceremony that reflected the best in both the Yoruba and Christian cultural values in a mixture of people of different races and nationalities. Although both bride and bridegroom reside in the UK, the engagement ceremony and dinner reception that followed were held in Gaborone to the watchful and delightful eyes of parents, friends and well- wishers. Good enough, UB academics turned out in large numbers as they were not yet 'airborne' in their usually crowded routine academic flights since the session was just about to fully take-off. As expected, there were many interesting and time-taking activities that got showcased during the colourful occasion. However, that was one activity that touched my heart, which I think is worth sharing for the benefit of my yet-to-be married readers. This has to do with the highly inspired message of Pastor Sam Kputu during the occasion.

This inspired Nigerian preacher reminded us that we have three critical choices to make in life namely the choice of who our Master is the choice of our Mission in life (ie serving God in truth & in spirit, or pursuing wealth, power, fame etc as an end rather than a means to a greater end); and (c) the choice of our Life Partner. According to Pastor Kputu, the choice of our life partner is based on love and this love cannot exist or be sustained where Jesus is not the Lord and Master. The fear of God therefore is the key to sustaining this love. Providing a special interpretation of the meaning of the word Love, Pastor Kputu said that L stands for Lordship of Jesus, O for Openness in trust, V for vision-driven relationship, and E for being Expandable for each other (ie sacrifice).

This is a food for thought for all of us both married and yet-to-be married and with it, this column congratulates Olubunmi and Titilope Sobodu and prays that they should be as gentle and loving as those of their parents that some of us know.

Weekly Food for Thought Series.

Does a president or a minister need to physically read newspapers every day? Not necessarily, as the demand of office may make it practically impossible to do so. But does a president or minister necessarily need to know the public opinion as articulated and expressed in the newspapers and other organs of the mass media? Yes and necessarily so, because a lack of such knowledge is antithetical to democracy and more dangerously may end up making leaders rule by ignorance. What then are the numerous special assistants meant for, if they cannot help a president or minister appreciate public opinion? Now I know part of the reasons why the prices of petroleum products was increased over and over again over the years in spite of the prevailing abject poverty in the country and the hue and cry of the masses as often reported in the newspapers.

Dr. Obasi teaches Public Administration at the University of Botswana, Gaborone, Southern Africa