Nigeria’s Leader, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has conferred the national honour award of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger, GCON, on the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi
President Tinubu gave the honour on Sunday during the Nigeria/India Bilateral meeting held at the State House, Abuja.
The President said that the award was bestowed on the Indian Leader to signify Nigeria’s appreciation and commitment to the Nigerian Indian partnership.
The Nigerian Leader added that the invitation to the Indian PM was to rekindle and reclassify existing relationship between Nigeria and India.
He emphasised that Nigeria values it’s excellent relationship with India hence current efforts to deepen and broaden same to the mutual benefit of the two countries.
President Tinubu lauded Indian democracy saying its represents strong democratic values and norms.
“Nigeria values its excellent relationship with India, and we work to deepen and broaden the same to the mutual benefit of our two friendly countries.
“You represent a very strong commitment in democratic values and norms, you have been doing a good job historically, winning three consecutive elections in a complex society is a feat that we respect so much.”
He also stated that the high level engagement was intended to improve.
“I will confer on you today, the Prime Minister of India, Nigeria’s National Honor, the Grand Commander of the Order of Niger. This to signify Nigerian appreciation and commitment to India as a partner.
“You stood side by side with Nigeria on many fronts for many decades. Yes, democracy is a court of essential yield you’ve navigated through Indian sectors, and also ensure joint collaboration to maintain and strengthen our relationship.”
Commiserating with Nigeria over the recent floods that ravaged several cities across the country including the Maiduguri major flood crisis, the Indian Prime Minister promised to support Nigeria with 20 tons of relief materials.
Modi said this is to support the administration of President Tinubu on its ongoing humanitarian efforts.
Dedication Of GCON Honour
In his acceptance remarks, PM Modi dedicated the GCON national honour to the 1.4 billion citizens of India and the deep friendship between India and Nigeria.
”This honour will continue to inspire us to take the India-Nigeria strategic partnership to new heights.
”The relations between India and Nigeria are based on mutual cooperation, understanding and mutual respect.
”As two vibrant democracies and dynamic economies, we will continue to work for the benefit of our people,” Modi said.
The Indian Prime minister identified the social and cultural diversities of the two nations as sources of strength, while noting that Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda and Develop India 2047 share many common aspirations.
Recalling President Tinubu’s visit to India in September 2023, Modi said his state visit to Nigeria would further strengthen and expand the longstanding partnership between both countries.
With over 60,000 Indians residing in Nigeria, the Prime Minister expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality provided by the Nigerian government.
He described the Indian community in Nigeria as an important link between the two countries.
‘‘Nigeria has played a very important and positive role in Africa and for India, deepening our relations with Africa has been a very high priority.
”In all our efforts, we have always tried to work with friendly countries like Nigeria.
”As it is said in Africa, a friend is someone you share with. India and Nigeria will work together to advance the interests of our people and the African continent.
”Through close coordination and working together, we will advance the interests and priorities of the Global South,” he said.
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