ACHIEVEMENTS

The NNMA has come a long way in its effort to promote and sustain intellectual excellence in t country and has been able to carve for itself an enviable position which puts it on a high pedestal with other internationally recognized Award giving bodies. The following modest achievements since its inception in 1979 are listed below for record purposes:

1. The NNMA was able to successfully bestow the prestigious NNOW award on 57 distinguished Nigerians who have so far passed through the litmus test for the conferment of the award.

2. Despite the social pressures and collapse in social value that are apparent in contemporary Nigeria, the NNMA has been able to maintain and sustain a laudable, transparent and controversy-free selection process.

3. A befitting six storey building, which also serves as the Secretariat of NNMA, was constructed between 1991 and 2000. The building was commissioned by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR. The edifice has let-table facilities such as Auditorium, which has a sitting capacity of 600 people, a Banquet Hall and three Symposium Halls of various sizes among others.

4. Establishment of an Electronic Database and Virtual Library for efficient service delivery and as an aid to intellectuals and researchers in their effort to broaden Human knowledge. This was made possible by the acquisition in 2005 and 2006, of a V-SAT equipment and provision of more than 20 computers.

5. The NNMA ICT-Infrastructures ( i.e. Electronic Database/Library) was designed to deliver the following gains:

i. Enhancing the internal operational capacity of the Board through educating and enlightening the staff of the secretariat;

ii.Improving service delivery by operating fully automated Library and in-built business centre including the installation of WIFI-hotspots at such strategic locations within the Merit House complex as well as the Main Auditorium and the Symposium rooms;

iii. Creating the required public awareness of the activities of the Board by providing a platform for interaction and exchange of ideas among stakeholders. The facilities will also provide a conducive environment for attracting a diverse blend of readership and research workers amongst prospective users:

iv. Serving as a veritable source of revenue generation for the Board by commercializing the services of the cyber café, thus guaranteeing the desired future self-sustainability of the NNMA from Government subventions.

6. Ongoing renovation and furnishing of the facilities within the Merit House for improved services and the provision of Customer friendly environment. These facilities are for renting to interested public and private organizations;

7. Between 2005 and June, 207, the Governing Board of the NNMA embarked on an aggressive investment drive by investing the sum of N56 million in the equities of some blue chip Companies. These investments are now worth over N120 million indicating an investment appreciation of about N64 million. The aim is to ensure the expansion and sustenance of NNMA activities in the future;

8. A befitting Board Room has been provided by refurbishing the penthouse on a 6th floor of Merit House. It has provision for the Chairman’s Office, waiting room and two offices for support staff;

9. Increase of the cash Award Prize to NNOM Recipient s from N100, 000.00 in the 1990’s to N1m from year 2005. The aim is ultimately to reach a point where winning of the Nigerian National Merit Award shall be a life changing and rewarding experience as in the case with other comparable awards e.g. the Nobel Prize.

10.      CONCLUSION

In conclusion, NNMA being in the vanguard of identifying and rewarding intellectual excellence in the country has been able to commit itself consistently to this onerous task without fear or favour. This has earned the Award a reputation as Nigeria’s most prestigious/distinguished honour for academic and professional excellence and merit with some of Nigeria’s very best men and women making its honoured and rarefied list of recipients.