Festus Keyamo, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, has conveyed his astonishment following President Muhammadu Buhari’s conferral of the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) National Honour upon him.

In a statement released on Sunday, the minister expressed his gratitude for being included among the “deserving and distinguished Nigerians” who received the honour, noting that he held the 15th position on the list.

Keyamo extended his thanks to President Buhari and offered prayers, asking God to bestow similar honours upon the president as He has done for others.

The statement reads, “I was very delighted to wake up this morning to the news of the conferment on my humble self of one of the highest National Honours of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) (No. 15 on the list).

“I had no single inkling this was coming and for this I am grateful to the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR.

“His style is to give honours and privileges to those deserving of them and not those who lobby for them. Thank you, Mr. President and may God Almighty continue to honour you even as you have honoured others”.