WE don’t share the notion that any citizen should expect to receive a national award, which is presented annually by the governor general on National Heroes’ Day at King’s House.

The national awards are meant to recognise sustained selfless service that lifts our compatriots and advances our country, locally and/or internationally. For anyone to sit down expecting a national award would be contrary to the very spirit and letter of such awards.

And, while it is our right to question the choice of certain awardees when it appears to be without justification, we encourage Jamaicans not to cry down the programme administered by the Chancery of the Orders of the Societies of Honour out of the Office of the Prime Minister.

Our point here is not to downplay the suspicious nature of some of those selections for national honour from time to time. We are quite aware that many Jamaicans are cynical, believing that too often it is not the most deserving persons who are selected. Some cannot be convinced that the choices are not based on “who knows who” or to give out favours to friends and supporters.

The awardees this year are self-evident, in that it is clear to see that, on the whole, they are very deserving of national honour. This is good for the process and should restore some credibility to the selection programme in the eyes of those who had lost interest.

We in this space are especially gratified to see people like the late Olive Lewin being awarded the Order of Merit, the country’s third highest honour. We are happy that the ‘selectors’ have recognised people like Dr Garnet Brown; Mr Easton Douglas; the Rev Ashley Smith; Mr Beresford Hammond; Professor Lorna Goodison; Mr Orrett Rhoden; Mr Leighton ‘Fire’ McKnight; Dr Carolyn Cooper; and Mr Richard ‘Shrimpy’ Clarke among others who have done their bit for this country. Of course, there are many other very deserving persons whom we have not named, but those whom we have are sufficient to make our point.

We might be forgiven if we single out Mr Leighton McKnight whose after-award party drew hundreds of people, including several prominent politicians from both sides of the fence. It was the most bi-partisan mix of persons seen in Jamaica in a long time, according to people who attended at the Hams Stables at Bernard Lodge, St Catherine.

The continued belief and participation of Jamaicans in the process is critical. The Chancery of the Orders of the Societies of Honour might consider doing more to educate the public on what goes into the nomination for national awards and honours.

Many Jamaicans are not aware that every year, between January and March, the Chancery invites the public to nominate persons in the eight honours and awards categories. Instead of grumbling about the awardees, they should be encouraged to nominate their choice for national awards, for which nomination forms are available at the Office of the Chancery, ministries, departments and agencies of government, Jamaican missions overseas and, importantly, online.

According to the Jamaica Information Service, an eight-member selection committee shortlists the public’s nominees and that list is then reviewed by the prime minister, who then presents the nominees to the wider Cabinet for approval. Finally, the list goes to the governor general for his assent.

Good show, this year.