Nigeria: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with Nigeria’s highest civilian honor, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), during a formal ceremony in Abuja. Accepting the award, PM Modi expressed his deep gratitude, dedicating the honor to the people of India.
In his address, Modi highlighted the significance of the visit, noting that it was the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Nigeria in 17 years. He expressed his joy at being able to visit the country during his third term in office and reaffirmed India’s commitment to strengthening ties with Nigeria.
The Prime Minister also announced that India would send 20 tonnes of humanitarian aid to assist Nigeria’s flood relief efforts, showcasing India’s solidarity in times of crisis. Modi congratulated Nigeria on becoming a partner country of BRICS and expressed optimism about the future of India-Nigeria relations, particularly in addressing key issues impacting the Global South.
In addition, several Memoranda of Agreement (MoUs) were signed following talks between Prime Minister Modi and Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, marking a new chapter in bilateral cooperation across various sectors.
Earlier in the day, PM Modi was given a ceremonial welcome at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, underscoring the strong diplomatic ties between the two nations. The award and the visit signify a deepening of India-Nigeria relations, with an emphasis on mutual support and collaboration on global issues.