GCFR, GCON Honours Should Be Awarded To Entrepreneurs, Not Politicians – Obi

Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has criticized the Federal Government’s approach to awarding national honours, urging a shift toward recognizing individuals who have made substantial contributions to Nigeria’s development.

Obi made the remarks on Thursday in Abuja during the public presentation of “The Chronicles of a Legend”, a biography of renowned businessman and philanthropist Gabriel Igbinedion.

According to Obi, Nigeria must rethink how it bestows national honours such as the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR) and Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON).

“These titles should go to entrepreneurs and productive citizens, not just politicians,” Obi said. “We must change the way we honour people in this country.”

He praised Igbinedion’s contributions to key sectors including aviation, education, and cultural heritage, arguing that individuals like him are far more deserving of national accolades.

“In this country, we often celebrate those who should not be celebrated. If we truly honoured impact, today’s event would be even more significant,” he added.

Obi also emphasized Igbinedion’s role in job creation, citing the entrepreneur’s employment of over 17,000 Nigerians as a model of productive leadership.

“If we were a productive country, entrepreneurs like him would have helped put more than 20 million Nigerians into jobs,” said the former Anambra State governor.

He concluded by advocating for a national value shift toward productivity and merit-based recognition.