Abuja, Nigeria: In a diplomatic exercise, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been honoured with Nigerian highest honour second to any Nigerian the title of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger. I am proud to inform you that this prestigious award is yet another achievement for PM Modi who is the second foreign dignitary to be honoured by this award. The last of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II received it in 1969.
For the award, which was conferred on Sunday, the Indian Prime Minister receives the honour directly from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. A visibly much embarrassed PM Modi said that he was honoured to receive the award of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger. He accepted the award with a bow and spoke in appreciation of the award to the 1.4 billion people of India as well as gratitude for the relationship between India and Nigeria.
This is 17 International award that the PM Modi has received during his tenure of Prime Ministership. He spoke at the event and emphasised that the relations between India and Nigeria have a good beginning of goodwill, cooperation and respect. He underlined how the two lively democracies could achieve most when they work together for the improvement of their people.
The two leaders held talks on potential for enhanced relations in political, trade and economic, social as well as cultural and education fields. The areas of cooperation in this case found to be prospective were economics, agriculture, defence, finance or fintech, power and energy, SMEs and trade and culture.
PM Modi also gave a nod to Nigeria as a positive force in the Africa, while speaking about the external vision of India that planned to enhance relations with the said region. He was optimistic that both nations would further cooperate to improve the welfare of the people in the two countries and the rest of the continent to advance the cause, agenda of the Global South in particular.
Nigeria is the first stop of the three-nation tour led by PM Modi; it was last visited by an Indian Prime Minister in 2004. The friendly reception given to him is well indicative of the premium being laid on this new form of association. This visit is expected to enhancing the diplomatic and economic cooperation between India and Nigeria. Therefore, it will be hoped that the successful completion of this visit will be preceded by many joint projects and further enhancement of relations between the two countries.