[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he loyalty of Ayo Makun, professionally known as AY, to nation building as defined by Obidients, an appellation for the former presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi, has been questioned.

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Recall that AY recently celebrated his national award of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR), when the comedian cum actor gleefully wrote on his social media handle how honoured he felt to be listed amongst individuals adding value to the country.

“I am indeed happy to be listed amongst individuals adding value to the country in all spheres of human endeavour.Not everyone gets to enjoy that special grace that brings me nothing short of consistent favour against all odds.

“At this point permit me to reintroduce myself, I am Dr Richard Ayodeji Makun (MFR),” he wrote.

If he was banking on everyone to be happy for him, AY received the shock of his life when the Obidients demanded that he should reject the award from ‘dishonourable people’. But he kicked.

AY was one of many Nigerian celebrities that endorsed Obi and campaigned vigorously for his presidency.

“Those of you shaming or asking me to reject ‘A National Honour’ are clearly missing a vital point. Our country is bigger and more important than any president or political party awarding it. A national honour is the highest recognition anyone can get for his or her contributions to nation building. So my allegiance is to a country where i have contributed my own quota, and i am more than happy to be rewarded by the same nation,” he defended his acceptance.

While many have praised him for his great perspective, Obidients won’t let him rest.

“Osi lonso,” one wrote.

Abimbola Adaeze Oligbinde wrote: Nobody asked you to reject the award Ayo. Many of you don’t know what it means to truly stand for something and it shows. Accepting an honour from dishonourable people that you have criticised for so long is proof of your values. Own them with your big chest. No need to pander.

“I am not against you collecting the honour, but don’t say you are part of the people building Nigeria. Nigeria is bigger than you. You are only building your pocket, bro,” Awoyemi Tola Samuel advised him.

According to Alex Edemodu, AY lost an opportunity at greatness by not rejecting the award.

You just lost an opportunity to have made the greatest impact in the history of Nigeria. Going by your analysis of the situation you know that but the strength was lacking. I hope there would be another opportunity. Congratulations on your national award. You’ve paid your dues.

Danje Pategi: Mr man,you cannot be against an administration in one moment and in the next recieve any(thing) from the same government all in the name of ‘our country is bigger than any president or political party ‘.besides what do you mean you have contributes your quota?where? How?

Recall that award-winning Nigerian author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, rejected conferment of national honours on her by President Muhammadu Buhari.

“Following the recent conferment of national awards by the President, there have been conflicting reports about one of the announced recipients, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Some social media users say the award-winning writer rejected the award, while others say she accepted it.

“The author did not accept the award and, as such, did not attend the ceremony. She, however, did not want to create undue publicity around it, so her non-acceptance was conveyed privately,” said a member of Chimamanda’s communications team, Omawumi Ogbe.

Rtn. Victor Ojelabi

Ojelabi, the publisher of Freelanews, is an award winning and professionally trained mass communicator and a recipient of the D9112 Superstar Icon Award, who writes ruthlessly about pop culture, religion, politics and entertainment.