If tributes could wake the dead, the late Second Republic Senate Leader, Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki, would have resurrected from his grave going by the outpouring of emotions and eulogies which testified the kind of politician he was. But surprisingly, the strongman of Kwara politics died without a National Honours award.

The late Olusola Saraki was never a recipient of national honours award till his death on November 14, his associates and relations told Daily Trust.

Apart from the fact that there was never a time his name bore such an acronym as OFR, CON, among other categories of the national honours award annually conferred on Nigerians, multiple sources told Daily Trust that Saraki, the strongman of Kwara politics, was never considered for the national award. He was aged 79.

Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Rep. Zakari Mohammed (PDP-Kwara), said despite his numerous achievements and contributions to political development of the country, late Saraki was never bestowed with any national award.

He, however, questioned the parameters used for selection of awards in the country.

"I believe that being one of the greatest Nigerians not given National Honour up to his death call to question the parameters being used to award National Honours. Baba was people's general, he lived among the people; he lived his live for the people. He has played his part as an actor on a stage, for us he was a fulfilled politician.

"We have given him awards, if the government did not gave him a national honour, it did not took away his being the people's general. If it were money, there are many rich men like him in Kwara but he touched many lives in Kwara. He has been able to meet up with the challenges of his own time and be able to meet up with the needs of his people. Baba Oloye was an anointed leader, even his critics know that," Zakari said.

Former Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria and one of his closest political associates, Professor Albert Ogunsola, wondered why such a prominent politician was not recognised for the national honours award till he breathed his last.

It would be recalled that the scion of the Saraki's family and the immediate past governor of the state, Senator Bukola Saraki is a holder of Commander of the Order of Niger (CON) which he bagged in 2010 during his second term in office.

Speaking with Daily Trust yesterday, the 89 year-old Ogunsola said, "It is true that Olusola Saraki was not a recipient of the national honours award. It is something one wonders that he was never considered fit for the award."

Ogunsola, the former Chairman of All Peoples Party (APP) added, "The point is until he died, when it came to matters of awards, it is not something we were anxious about. They might consider him posthumously, it's not too late."

He another factor which might have worked against him was because he was active in politics until death.

"We are not anxious about an award for him. It is now we can see people getting OON this year and a higher award next year as if they are getting promotion. Some people now get the award every year. It's now become like a promotion which should not be. It should be something that you are given at a particular time in your life. I was given an OFR (Order of Federal Republic) award but that was when I severed my connection with the university (ABU).

"To us, it appears the whole thing is in a mess. Even late President Umar Yar'Adua said it when he was elected the President. Yar'adua said "why are you giving me award when I have not done anything?"

"I can confirm to you that Dr. Olusola Saraki was not a recipient of the national honours award but what I can't say is why he was never considered worthy of the award", said an astute follower of Saraki who also bags a national award.

It was, however, gathered that the major feather in the late Saraki's cap was the honorary Doctor of Science conferred on him by the Federal University of Technology, Minna.

Nigerian National Honours are a set of orders and decorations conferred upon Nigerians and friends of Nigeria every year. They were instituted by the National Honors Act No. 5 of 1964, during the Nigerian First Republic, to honour Nigerians who have rendered service to the benefit of the nation.

The honours are: Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (GCFR), Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR), Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR), Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON),Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR), Member of the Order of the Niger (MON)

The GCFR and GCON are customarily bestowed on former occupants of the office of President of Nigeria and Vice President of Nigeria including former military heads of state of Nigeria and Chiefs of General Staff. The GCON is also customarily bestowed on the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the President of the Senate during their first year in office, while the CON is customarily bestowed on Justices of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.