Six prominent Nigerians Wednesday received Niger Republic’s highest civilian awards: Order of Merit of Niger and Great Master of National Awards.
This was in recognition for their roles in promoting better relations between Nigeria and Niger, Nigerien officials said.
The awardees include businessmen Aliko Dangote, president of the Dangote Group; and Abdulsamad Rabi’u, president of BUA Group.
Gov. Badaru Abubakar of Jigawa State and his Zamfara State counterpart – Bello Matawalle – were also honored with the awards.
Others honoured with the awards were the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Household and Domestic Affairs, Sarki Abba, and the State Chief of Protocol – Lawal Kazaure.
This was announced in a statement by Shehu Garba – the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity – titled: ‘Six Nigerians get Niger Republic’s highest civilian honours.’
The award ceremony was to mark the nation’s independence from France in 1960.
In giving the awards, Niger’s President Mohammed Bazoum said his country cherished Nigeria as one of its closest neighbours and friends.
In various citations, Bazoum praised the efforts of “brother Nigerians” who had made great strides in increasing understanding between the two nations and for acting as agents of social and economic development.
The Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum and governor of Kebbi State, Abubakar Bagudu, was among those who graced the occasion in Niamey, the country’s capital.
