The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, has conferred the National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM), Award on the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, in recognition of his high productivity, hard work and excellence, particularly in the fight against the global pandemic – COVID-19 – in Lagos and Nigeria.

Abayomi, who was honoured alongside the Secretary to the Federal Government, Mr Boss Mustapha and the immediate past Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, in the NPOM Special COVID-19 award category received the award during the 19th National Productivity Day (NPD), and Conferment of NPOM Award at the Banquet Hall, State House, Aso Rock Villa, Asokoro, Abuja.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, who conveyed notification of the award to Prof. Akin Abayomi via a letter titled Conferment of National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM) Award and dated May 4, 2022, explained that the NPOM award is an award of honour and dignity instituted by the Federal Government of Nigeria to recognise hard work and excellence.

While congratulating the Health Commissioner for the honour, Ngige noted that his recommendation was based on the report of the National Productivity Order of Merit Award Committee after a rigorous selection process.

The letter personally signed by the Minister reads in part, “The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR has approved the conferment of the National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM) Award on you in recognition of high productivity, hard work and excellence.

“Your recommendation was based on the report of the National Productivity Order of Merit Award Committee after a rigorous selection process. The Award ceremony, which will be chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari, has been scheduled to hold on 12th May 2022 at the Banquet Hall, State House, Asokoro, Abuja at 9.00 am.

“On behalf of the President and the entire people of Nigeria, I congratulate you on this honour conferred on you by the nation. Once again, do accept our congratulations and good wishes”.

Speaking after receiving the award, Abayomi thanked President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, and the people of Nigeria for adjudging him worthy of national honours.

He noted that the purposeful leadership of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Incident Commander of the COVID-19 Response in Lagos, as well as the commitment of all health workers and the support of citizens earned him the award.

His words: “I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the President and the people of Nigeria for judging me worthy of this award and I would like to dedicate the award to Mr Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, all healthcare workers, State and non-State actors and Lagosians for the remarkable role played by all in stemming the tide of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a win for us all”.

About 50 deserving individuals and organisations were conferred with the NPOM award in different categories for the years 2019 and 2020. The awardees were selected from different sectors including health, business, economy, and politics amongst others.