A reflection on the value of national honours

In a world where politics defines, shapes and influences nearly all action, policy and program of governance, it goes without saying that the original sanctity and value of the award of national honour have been desecrated by politicians to promote their political hegemony.  

In its unadulterated form as envisioned by the framers of the constitution, national honours are to be conferred on people who have distinguished themselves in their outstanding contribution to national development, nation building, transformation of society, exemplary conduct and the promotion of national value among many other grounds.

The ultimate goal of national honour is to present the recipients as role models to the nation and to inspire citizens to emulate the values espoused by the grounds on which the country bestows the awards on recipients. The conferment reaffirms national values enshrined in the constitution’s chapter six on leadership and integrity.

Undoubtedly, conferring the morally guarded national honours on undeserving people harms the letter and spirit of the constitution and sends the wrong message to citizens – it does not matter what you do! If it does not matter what people do, then people are empowered and emboldened to uphold no values and to pride themselves in vices so long as it serves their interests.

Beside organizing and managing the affairs of the nation, governance has a key moral role of upholding and promoting values that enhance the spirit and letter of the national constitution – whether this be unity, integrity, leadership, patriotism or selflessness. There are many Kenyans who have distinguished themselves in various ways and truly merit some national recognition.

Such distinguished Kenyans may not get the national honour unless they are politically connected. The politicization of national honours surgically undermines its positive impact it was meant to have on nation building and in promoting national and human values. The ultimate multiplier impact of this trajectory is the making of a society that is progressively weakened in all ramifications of its sense and practice of morality.

In some African countries, recipients of national honours are selected from every sector of society including the academia, different professions – law, medicine, engineering etc, religious categories, political leadership, the media, traditional chieftaincy and defense among many others. Spreading out the net of national honour to cover largely every sector of society makes a fundamental statement – whatever you do, you contribute to our national development.

For instance, as a Missionary Priest serving in Kenya, I serve at the grassroots, touching and transforming lives and communities on the fringes of society. There are many Missionaries who have served in various parts of Kenya for over 60 years of their missionary life. They have built churches, schools and hospitals. They have drilled boreholes to provide water for communities. They have sponsored indigent students through their education. They have empowered widows to fend for themselves. Missionaries and indeed the clergy and other religious leaders made a modest contribution to nation building.

Beyond the material impacts of the service of religious leaders, they journey with a vast majority of citizens and address them practically every week. They are in the business of making good and responsible citizens who in turn become law abiding citizens and hence play their part in nation building. Although we do not do what we do for worldly recognition but for the glory of God and the wellbeing of people, conferring national honours on distinguished religious leaders would help to entrench religious values in the society.

When national honours are conferred on people who truly make a positive difference on society, the government strengthens the moral fabric of the nation. But when political affiliation or interest is the ground for selecting recipients – irrespective of their cloudy reputation, the government makes a mess of the very constitution they all swore to uphold and defend.

By Rev Fr Dr Livinus Onogwu