By Ime Akpan
Lagos
The director general of National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Mike Omeri, has given an award to the airport cleaner, Mrs. Josephine Ugwu, who returned N12 million found in a toilet at the international wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport.
Presenting Ugwu with Citizen’s Responsibility Recognition Award, Omeri said the federal government resolved to honour her for displaying honesty.
“The federal government through the NOA decided to honour the airport cleaner as a way of rewarding honesty and transparency. Showing good example is part of the good values that Nigerians should emulate. Three years ago we gave similar honour to other Nigerians that exhibited good conduct of honesty.
“This is good for our country to always show such conduct that our country deserves. I want to commend airport workers for their good conduct which is important because people all over the world travel through the airport.
“I want to urge the airport staff to remain honest, which is part of what we are as a people. Many people have been given this recognition in the past, and we hope it will serve as a platform for honour,” said the director general.
Omeri said the woman’s conduct “has redeemed the image of the country which has been tainted by the conduct of a few Nigerians.”
He said NOA would not stop to reward Nigerians who exhibit such honest conduct in the discharge of their duties and urged the recipient to continue to display such exemplary behavior which he said “is the traditional way of life of Nigerians.”
In his remarks, the regional manager, South West Airports of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr. Remi Aromiwura said the airport authority was impressed by the cleaner’s conduct which he said “is enough evidence that the environment is safe for passengers and users of its facilities.”
