Singer, Teni, breaks silent, sends message to Buhari over national award

Popular singer, Teniola Apata, has appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari for honouring her with a national award despite being accused of being disrespectful while accepting the award.

Teni was conferred with the title of Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) at the 2022 National Honours Award Investiture which took place at the International Conference Centre in Abuja on Tuesday October 11.

The 29-year-old is seen in a viral video receiving the award from Buhari without a handshake which many claimed was an act of disrespect to the president.

Critics from social media users had forced the singer to pen down an appreciation message to the Federal Government via her Instagram account.

According to her: “With honour and gratitude to God, it was indeed a joyous moment to receive a National Honor yesterday. I was conferred MON (Member of the Order of the Niger) by His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR @muhammadubuhari President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the National Awards Committee headed by Justice Sidi Bage Muhammad, a retired Justice of the Supreme Court, the Emir of Lafia, after diligently going through over 5,000 submissions.

“Special thanks to God for this, the Federal Government, my loved ones and to you all for supporting me from day 1. This honor is for the entire family of Rt. Brigadier General Simeon Olaosebikan Apata (Ascend), My Father.

“I was granted this award for “consistent and meaningful participation in community and/or national development; rendering unsolicited, selfless and philanthropic services to humanity; outstanding sacrifice in the defence of a cause popularly adjudged to be positive, relevant and beneficial to the nation and community.

“To all the young girls this one is for you. Let’s not forget to stop dreaming. Nothing is impossible.”