By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Nigeria’s President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu was on Thursday conferred with the highest National Honour in the West African country – the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR) by the outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari who is expected to bow out of office May 29, after the constitutional two terms of four years.
Also conferred with the second highest national honour in the country is the incoming Vice President, Sen. Kashim Shettima – Grand Commander Order of Nigeria (GCON).
The GCFR honour is exclusively reserved for the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, while the GCON is reserved for the Vice President and in some cases heads of the National Assembly and the Judiciary.
The national honour investiture comes as part of event heralding the inauguration of Tinubu as the 16th President of Nigeria.
President Muhammadu Buhari at the event which took place at State House conference hall Abuja was joined by Secretary to the Government of the Federation Boss Mustapha; the Minister of Defense, Major General Salihi Magashi; the Chief of Defence Staff General Lucky Irabor and the Service Chiefs, state governors and other top government officials.
The President who has consistently expressed his eagerness to live office had on Wednesday held a valedictory Federal Executive Council meeting with members of his cabinet.
Tinubu will mount the saddle of leadership on Monday amidst rising insecurity in Nigeria and high debt profile left behind by the outgoing President.
He had been criticised for his failure to deploy his military background in crushing the Boko Haram terror group which has killed several thousands of people especially in the northern region of Nigeria since 2008.
